Our Journey Together

There are some people who come into your life and make an indelible print on your heart. Sheriff Wendell Hall is one of those people in my life. Even though we met under the most horrendous circumstances, our journey together has been quite healing and rewarding. On May 11, 2002, a 24-year-old drunk driver named Eric killed one of my twins, Meagan, and one of her friends, Lisa. Both girls were 20 years old. I am not sure of the exact date that I met Sheriff Hall, but once we met, a bond formed between us. Erics sentencing was October 3,2003 and shortly after, Sheriff Hall contacted me about a project he was working on to stop DUI. He asked me if I would be okay if he used Erics picture on a billboard. As we discussed the billboard, I asked him if we could also include Meagan and Lisa, because I felt it is important to also show the faces of the victims. It was decided that all three would be on the billboard and in February 2004, the rst billboard on Avalon Blvd in Milton was unveiled. The billboard displayed a powerful message that read, I Drank Drove Killed And We Lost. He also put the billboards at several other locations. Since then, there have been numerous times that these billboards have appeared in Santa Rosa County. I randomly stayed in touch with Sheriff Hall, just a call here and there to check in with him. I began doing DUI presentations March 29, 2004. As I began doing presentations for Pace High School Drivers Ed classes, I kept him informed about my progress. All along we discussed the possibility of making my dream come trueto have Eric join me, as an inmate in my presentations. Eric was being housed at Holmes Correctional Institution and they would not even allow my family to visit Eric. That made it very hard. August 18, 2006 the Dicksons, Napiers and the Smallridges went before Judge Swanson to ask that Erics sentence be changed from two 11-year consecutive sentences, to two 11year concurrent sentences. During the week prior to the hearing, I called Sheriff Hall and asked if he would allow us to meet with Eric. He arranged that for all of us, giving us 3 different time slots. That was huge! We really needed to have face-to-face time with Eric and all I had to do was explain that to Sheriff Hall and he took care of it. He has compassionate heart. At the hearing, Judge Swanson granted our request. Eric was soon moved to Bay Correctional Facility in Panama City and as time went on, I had more conversations with Sheriff Hall about my dream. In April 2008, the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Ofce brought me in under a FDOT grant to speak in all 6 of their high schools, doing 9 presentations in one week. They rolled out the red carpet for me. Tamie Peterson took care of all the details for each school and made sure I had everything I needed. She met me every morning and escorted me to each school. Sheriff Hall introduced me at 7 of the 9 presentations, and that is something that means a lot to me. I realize the sheriff is a busy man. He was also able to join us for lunch a few times during that week. That was special to be able to get to know him better. He made himself accessible to me. October 1, 2009 I went to the prison to discuss what I was hoping to accomplishhaving Eric join me as an inmate. I was told that as long as the sheriffs were willing to transport and house Eric, it could happen. I was elated and called Sheriff Hall immediately. I knew he would do it. I also wanted to meet other sheriffs to explain what I was hoping to do, so I

went to the Sheriffs Mid-Winter Conference in San Destin in February 2010. Sheriff Hall introduced me to 14 other sheriffs at that conference. His enthusiasm caught on and every one of them said they would be willing to transport and house Eric for presentations in their counties. That was huge and just what I needed to convince Department of Corrections Secretary Walt McNeil to say, Yes. March 2, 2010 I had the privilege of meeting with Secretary McNeil and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp in Tallahassee. They gave me their approval and wished me luck. I called Sheriff Hall and let him know we have the permission we need, so I scheduled a presentation at Gulf Breeze High SchoolMeagan and Lisas alma mater. There are two reasons I wanted to go to GBHS rst: 1) The girls graduated from GBHS and 2) It is in Santa Rosa County and I wanted Sheriff Hall to be the rst Sheriff to host our presentation, since he was instrumental in helping me accomplish my goalhe gave me continued support. He arranged a meeting with the Superintendent to make sure everything would be okay. April 22, 2010 Eric Smallridge joined me at Gulf Breeze High School for one presentation to approximately 800+ juniors and seniors. Eric was in the custody of Sheriff Hall and Sergeant Scott Haines. They housed him in their jail and transported him to GBHS. He was dressed in his DOC blue uniform and also handcuffs, chains and shackles. It was a moment in time that we will always remember! Eric delivered a powerful message in the gym that day and lives were forever changed. At the end of the presentation, Sheriff Hall came over to me and said, We have to do this presentation in the rest of the Santa Rosa County High Schools before the school year is over. I started calling the other high schools and we were able to go to 4 more schools in May: Jay, Central, Milton and Pace. We had the same response in each of these schools and it was quite exciting for all of us! Sheriff Hall has a desire to educate the students so they will make positive choices. Eric and I came back in November and December 2010 to do presentations at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. Sheriff Hall supported us for our presentations at Whiting Field and provided housing, transportation and Sergeant Scott Haines. In November and December 2011 we were invited back to the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Even though it is in Escambia County, Sheriff Hall graciously opened his jail and once again provided Sergeant Scott Haines to bring Eric to each presentation. Sheriff Hall went the extra mile! May 11, 2012 was the 10-year anniversary of the crash that took Meagan and Lisas lives. I called Sheriff Hall and we planned another presentation at Gulf Breeze High School. Assistant Principal Danny Brothers and Principal Jason Weeks really did an awesome job of getting things ready at the school. They allowed us to present to the entire student body, 1600 9th-12th graders, in the gym at one time, something that is never done. Eric is now in the work release program and is what they call Community Custody. He doesnt require to be housed in the jail, nor does he have to wear the uniform, handcuffs or shackles. It is very important to me to still have the Sheriffs Ofce presence at each presentation and Sheriff Hall came along with Sergeant Scott Haines. Sheriff Hall introduced me to the students and guests. Eric and I also presented to Navarre High School students on May 10th and once again, Sheriff Hall introduced me. The Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Ofce has truly been wonderful to me in so many ways. I value their love and support. I have been to 4 or 5 more of the Florida Sheriffs Conferences and Sheriff Hall and Karen just take my sister, Monique, and me under their wing. They have invited us to join them at their table for lunch and dinner and we have

formed a lasting friendshipone that I will always treasure. Sheriff Hall continues to introduce me to the sheriffs I havent met, so I can continue my journey in other counties. Thanks to his help, Eric and I have been in 32 of our 67 Florida Counties sharing our message to over 50,000 people!! In Santa Rosa County alone, approximately 13,000 students have heard our message. Thanks to Sheriff Hall, approximately 5,000 military personnel have also heard our message. To sum things up: Sheriff Hall goes the extra mile, has a compassionate heart, is accessible, cares about our youth as well as our military personnel, helped make my dream a reality and became my life long friend in the process. I am eternally grateful and blessed. I love you Sheriff Hall!!! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING! With A Grateful Heart, Renee Napier