When Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson got a call for help from fellow officers in Louisiana, he gathered equipment, supplies, and a 22 person team. Ten hours later, they were ready to go. Simpson said once they finally reached someone at the Jefferson Perish Sheriff's Office, the lady was desperate. Simpson said the tone of emotion and concern in her voice made it clear that something had to happen.

She said, 'We need help and we need it now. People are shooting at the station. "

Simpson said they got all political and legal issues resolved with Loudoun County Attorney around 1pm the next day. All they needed was a "FEMA tracking number" and they could hit the road. Sheriff Simpson continued calling FEMA every few minutes for hours with no one answering the FEMA telephone. After getting nowhere with the FEMA line, he called an old friend who is with The Red Cross - who got him another number.

"When someone finally answered, they told him the didn't know who to call in Louisiana," Simpson said.

Simpson continued to push as he knew it was the right thing to do. He finally spoke with a trooper froom the Louisiana State Police.

"This trooper actually told us that we were not to come down. I couldn't believe it. All I could say 'Excuse me?'" " I told him, 'With all due respect sir, your governor is on television pleading for help amd that's what were are offering.'" "They said we were 'Self Dispatching'" Simpson said.

Sheriff Simpson did not take this lying down. He placed a call to CNN, a reporter was on site within hours and he was doing a live interview. I would like to say a personal "Thank You", to Sheriff Simpson. People like him give Law Enforcement a good name.