To the Editor:

In a news article (Swain sheriff suspends mutual aid to town, opponent claims the move is purely political), it was stated Chris Dudley, the K-9 Officer for the Bryson City Police Department, wrote a letter to Sheriff Cochran following the suspension of the mutual aid agreement expressing his disappointment and tendering his resignation as an auxiliary Deputy for Swain County. SMN misinterpreted my letter and said I was disappointed in the sheriff but that is not the case. My resignation letter had nothing to do with the mutual aid agreement.

I am shocked that SMN would be misleading the public by printing (Dudley said he was disappointed in the sheriff for his decision after so many years of working his K-9 for the sheriff’s office when in fact I have never spoke to the Smoky Mountain News until the misleading article was printed and posted and I have not worked a K-9 for the Swain County Sheriffs Office for so many year, I have only been living in Swain County for little over a year and a half.  So, if the Smoky Mountain News wants to be a reputable news outlet it needs to print the facts. As for Sheriff Cochran goes I feel he and his deputies have done a great job and I look forward to giving a helping hand anytime Sheriff Cochran Needs me or my K-9.                       

Chris Dudley

Bryson City