Editorial: Manhunt for Neal shows vigilance of community

Published 7:12 am Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Thanks to some alert citizens and law enforcement officers from across the region, police arrested Adolph Ray “Sonny” Neal just eight days after he allegedly murdered his wife and her grandfather.

While officials put out a nationwide “be on the lookout” alert for Neal shortly after the killings in Dawnville, the manhunt centered mostly on the northern part of Whitfield County.

Agents from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies took part in the search, which included a helicopter from the Georgia State Patrol and a K-9 unit from the Georgia Department of Corrections. At the height of the search there were around 200 officers on the scene. But the search also involved many others helping behind the scenes.

Two residents spotted Neal in the Varnell area Wednesday, leading to an intensive search that day. Officials didn’t apprehend Neal then. But another resident spotted Neal Thursday afternoon, and within minutes police had him in custody.

Authorities say the manhunt, especially the intensive search on Wednesday, kept Neal pinned down and unable to move about freely. It may also have prevented further bloodshed.

Residents of Whitfield County and surrounding areas no doubt were a little uncomfortable for a few days, believing that an accused murderer was loose among them. But they can sleep easier now, knowing the suspect has been arrested. And they can feel confident in the future that law enforcement and vigilant citizens are at watch over the community.