Live Oak — Dear Editor,



I wanted to comment about a recent Suwannee Scribbler-”A very brave man”, on Feb. 22, 2012. The article was written and researched extremely well and informative, however I wanted to add an interesting follow up that most Live Oak residents may not remember or have little knowledge about.

On Aug. 15, 2005 in Orlando Florida, the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers was holding its annual meeting and training. Included in that meeting was Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County. It was at this time a vote was presented and passed by all members of the Association - a $25,000 Reward for assistance in resolving the Moore Case. Former Attorney General Charlie Crist was on hand and acknowledged the importance of the anonymous caller’s involving this case. “There is someone out there who knows what happened on Christmas night, 1951,“ said Crist. “Whether the reasons for coming forward are to clear a conscience or strictly financial, we want to hear from those who can help”

Also in attendance for this announcement was Evangeline Moor,e one of the daughters of Harry and Rosalea Moore.

Former Attorney General Crist had re-opened the investigation under the direction of the Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights, and the United States Department of Justice. Dozens of interviews had already been conducted in the search of the bomber or bombers involved which had not led the office to the information it was seeking although new leads had been discovered.

The Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, which is comprised of 32 Florida Crime Reporting Programs, established a 1-800 line for tips and information leading to this 54-year-old crime. Advertisements were done in papers and billboards around the state.  

On Aug. 16, 2006, after a 20-month investigation, the Attorney Generals Office of Civil Rights in conjunction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) had pointed to extensive circumstantial evidence that the Moore’s were victims of a conspiracy by exceedingly violent members of a Central Florida Klavern of the Ku Klux Klan.

You can visit http://myfloridalegal.com/moore.nsf/WF/JFAO-6SQHVY/$file/MooreReport to view the investigative report and information on the four suspects that were discovered through the investigation.

I realize that Mr. Holmes had limited space in his column. However, I wanted to point out to our community how Crime Stoppers played a vital role in this investigation and the importance Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc. is to our community.

Currently Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc. is involved with two cold case homicides. Jill Carter was found on Aug. 28, 2005. Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc. worked with the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office to forward this crime to the Unsolved Homicide Cold Case Playing Card program. These playing cards are distributed throughout prison facilities to inmates with information on cold cases here in Florida. These decks were distributed to our local facility and around the area, in hopes that someone may see the card and call our Tips Line. More recent, Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc. has been working with the Live Oak Police Department on the cold case of Marvin O’Hara and the suspicious fire on Smith Street. Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc. would like to thank Sam Skierski. Mr. Skierski generously donated space on his lot located on North 129. A sign was made so information about this crime could be distributed to the drivers going North as well as south on Hwy. 129.

It takes a community, and as you can see by the Moore Case, a state to assist in the solvency of crime. Without our local program, Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County, Inc., our community would not have any way to anonymously report crime. Callers do not have to fear that the suspect will know who they are as they are not identified by their name only a number. Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County, Inc., DOES NOT USE ANY OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS to fund its program.

Please visit our website @ www.suwanneecrimestoppers.com to view more information about crimes in our area and how you can submit a tip. Our TIPS LINE IS 208-8477(TIPS). YOU WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS AND YOU COULD COLLECT A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.  

Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information not only about our program but to continue to educate our community on its history and the amazing people that make our area.

Tammy Mobley

Project Director

Crime Stoppers of Suwannee County Inc.



A response:



I appreciate Ms. Mobley's kind words.

 

I elected not to concentrate on the investigative aspect of the case because I really wanted the column to focus on the man's bravery. I doubt most of us have anywhere near the courage he displayed during his life.

 

In my opinion, the word "hero" is often misused today. Mr. Moore however, was the real McCoy.

JimI appreciate Ms. Mobley's kind words.

 

I elected not to concentrate on the investigative aspect of the case because I really wanted the column to focus on the man's bravery. I doubt most of us have anywhere near the courage he displayed during his life.

 

In my opinion, the word "hero" is often misused today. Mr. Moore however, was the real McCoy.



Jim Holmes