An incident last week shortly after our print deadline on Thursday started with a shooting in Como—another in a long line of shooting incidents that have plagued our county and municipalities.

But the story switched from the shooting to an apparent turf battle between leaders of law enforcement agencies sworn to serve and protect.

Some will try to make this an issue of race. That’s tragic.

You can add to the recipe cultural and regional differences (even within our small county) plus political spice and you have a formula for disagreement that is far more complicated than black and white.

Knowing both parties, Como’s police chief and Panola County’s sheriff, they are strong willed officers who obviously have had differences of opinion.

Don’t be fooled by gossip. Remember both men have served their country and communities honorably. They are both respected and admired by many throughout the communities they serve and beyond, including other law enforcement officers who have worked with them for years.

District Attorney John Champion said Friday that these men will have to work out the problem themselves. Champion also complimented investigators who continued to perform their duties last Thursday, not letting emotions of others interfere with their duties.

The police chief needs the ability to serve his town, and the sheriff needs for his department to have the ability to connect the dots with county-wide investigations and to back up smaller law enforcement agencies.

We have enough problems without our leaders making larger ones. Let’s focus on  criminals and miscreants and learn to work with our peers.