The Monday, July 1 Board of Supervisors meeting began with a heartfelt prayer given by Sheriff Clint Walker. The meeting was being carried out by Supervisors Claude Fluker, Dill Tucker, and Randy Browning, with both Supervisors Josh Hurst and Jim Neill absent. Supervisor Fluker acted as the stand-in Board President, leading business for the meeting.
Shortly following the approval of the minutes for June, the meeting took on a more somber note. In attendance was the family of Kenneth “Kim” Daves, a murder victim whose case is now nearly 9 years ongoing. Initially, the family was introduced by Sheriff Clint Walker as he facilitated their appearance before the Board. Sheriff Walker explained the circumstances of Daves' case, stating that on July 29, 2015 Daves was found murdered in his store, K&M Grocery, in Blackhawk. Walker explained that in an effort to revive the investigation, he was requesting Board authorization to offer a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the 9 year old case.
“This family has waited for justice for a long time,” Walker spoke. “As we approach the ninth year of the anniversary of Mr. Daves’ death, I want to up the reward and revive the efforts in this case.” He went on to say, “Somebody knows who’s responsible for his murder. Somebody either has first hand knowledge or good information about it. Any information is appreciated. If you know something, we need to know it.” He then explained, “If your information leads to the arrest or conviction of this murder, with the Board’s approval today… We’re asking the county to have, to my knowledge, the largest reward ever offered, ten thousand dollars. And that’s to go along with the eleven thousand dollars from the family. So, in total, twenty thousand dollars for information that leads to the arrest and conviction.”
After Sheriff Walker’s introduction, the family of Kenneth Daves addressed the Board directly, represented by his daughter Jessica Cortez. Cortez recounted the family’s pain and sorrow as they heard about Daves’ death.
Cortez spoke, “It is simply not fair. He should be here. Someone somewhere is living with the guilt of taking this amazing man from his family and friends. Today, I am here to tell you: you do not need to live with this guilt anymore. We are still hurting, and we will never be able to move on to the next stage of grief until the case is solved and an arrest is made.” She went on to say, “We live day in and day out wondering ‘Who?’ and ‘Why?’ I would not wish this on my worst enemy - including the person who did this to us.” Finally, Cortez made the plea that the entire family present seemed to feel, “I beg you to come forward. I ask that if you are not the person who did this, but know of any information, please come forward. No matter how small a detail it is, it could be the missing piece to the puzzle.”
Following hearing from the family of Daves, Chancery Clerk Casey Carpenter read a letter addressed to the family from Supervisor Jim Niell, who could not be in attendance. In the letter Neill expressed his empathy for the family and their struggle. Next, Clerk Carpenter addressed the family, stating he hoped for closure in the case.
In addition, Supervisor Claude Fluker addressed the family stating, “I believe in my heart because of the Sheriff that we have that this case will be solved. So, just keep praying…”
On a motion made by Supervisor Randy Browning and seconded by Supervisor Dill Tucker with all in favor, the Board approved the increase in the reward for information offer to $10,000, which would be paid out of the Officer Safety Fund of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
