Cherokee Nation provides $110,000 to local law enforcement agencies

Cherokee Nation officials presented checks totaling $110,000 to nine Sequoyah County law enforcement agencies on Wednesday, made possible by the tribe’s Motor Fuels Tax monies.

Sequoyah County Council Representatives Daryl Legg (Dist. 6) and E.O. Smith Jr. (Dist. 5) were on hand Wednesday to present $10,000 checks to Gans, Gore, Marble City, Muldrow, Roland, Sallisaw, Vian and Webbers Falls police departments, and $20,000 to the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office with several of their officers on hand to receive the checks.

“We’re just glad we can do this,” Councilman Legg said. “In spite of McGirt, we want to continue to be good partners with our local law enforcement and we appreciate all the hard work they put in to protect our communities.”

Legg said this is the third year since he has been in office for the tribe to contribute funds to the police and sheriff ’s departments.

Gary McGinnis, mayor of Gans, said he appreciates and is “grateful for the generous contribution the Cherokee Nation continues to bless this town with.”

McGinnis said the town has been able to purchase such needs as a police truck from last year’s contribution and hopes to make a similar purchase using the funds from this year’s donation.

“I think it’s great we can do something like this,” Councilman Smith said.

“It’s not just Sequoyah County which benefits from the contributions made to law enforcement agencies, there’s a certain amount of monies disbursed to each council representative to give to their district,” he said.

Smith said he enjoys being a part of the tribe that can give money to needs in their communities.

“It’s always good to see all of them and thank them in person,” he said.

PHOTOS BY LYNN MCCULLEY

Roland Assistant Police Chief Chris Waters was among several law enforcement agencies from Sequoyah County who received a check from the Cherokee Nation on Wednesday. Presenting the checks were Cherokee Nation Council representatives Daryl Legg (left), and E.O. Smith Jr. (right).

Vian Police Chief Daniel New (center) pictured with Cherokee Nation Councilman Daryl Legg (left), and E.O. Smith Jr. (right).

Sallisaw Police officers receiving their $10,000 check from the Cherokee Nation are pictured as follows, front row (from left) Sallisaw Police Officer LaLita Armer, Dist. 6 Cherokee Nation Councilman Daryl Legg, Sallisaw Police officer DeShawna Barron Neff, and Dist. 5 Cherokee Nation Councilman E.O. Smith Jr. Back row, officers Mark Rutherford and John Webber.

Gans Mayor Gary McGinnis (center), Gans Police Officer Mike Hendricks (left) and Assistant Police Chief Robert Jones receive their $10,000 check from Cherokee Nation Councilmen Daryl Legg (second from left) and E.O. Smith Jr. (right).

Marble City Mayor Tamara Hibbard holding a check for $10,000 the town received on behalf of their police department on Wednesday from Cherokee Nation Councilmen Daryl Legg, left, and E.O. Smith Jr. (right). Pictured next to Hibbard is Marble City Assistant Chief of Police Eddie Rosin.

Webbers Falls Police Chief Wayne Cartwright (second from right), and officer Mike James (second from left) receive a check for $10,000 from Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilors Daryl Legg (left) and E.O. Smith Jr. (right).

Muldrow Police Chief Tim Keith (center) receives a check for $10,000 from Cherokee Nation Council Representatives Daryl Legg (left), and E.O. Smith Jr. (right).

Gore Police Chief Jeremy Walters (center) receives a check for $10,000 from Cherokee Nation Dist. 6 Councilman Daryl Legg (left) and Dist. 5 Councilman E.O. Smith Jr. (right).