Sheriff Delivers Food To Media Covering Hostage Case

Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson delivered food to the media Sunday afternoon, across the road from where the five year old boy has been held for almost a week.  The sheriff and others stepped out of Olson's pickup truck and started grabbing boxes containing lunches appearing to be from the Salvation Army. Non-profit agencies and private companies have delivered thousands of food items since the standoff began.

Olson spoke briefly with WDHN News Director Ken Curtis as some of those who accompanied the sheriff started to put the food inside a closed service station that has become a media headquarters of sorts.  "Sheriff Olson said he wanted to make sure we had food," Curtis said.  "He also said he would have a Porta-Potty delivered for the press to use.  I told Sheriff Olson that a man who owns the building had readied the restroom inside and it was being used by the media.  The sheriff said he was unaware."  

Curtis said Olson appeared to be somewhat rested.  "He did look a little bit more refreshed than I've seen him during much this ordeal," Curtis said.  "I asked him how he was holding up and he said he was doing well but didn't elaborate."  Curtis said Olson didn't discuss any specifics of the case and he didn't ask.  "I didn't think it was the time or the place.  I thought it was just a nice gesture on his part during a very difficult time."

The sheriff then spoke to some people standing along the roadway holding signs asking for prayer and support for the boy known as Ethan who has been held captive since Tuesday.  Most media outlets have, so far, chosen not to release the child's last name.

Olson, during press conferences, has said he believes the child has is unharmed.  The sheriff, on Saturday, publicly thanked Dykes for taking care of the youngster during the ordeal.  Olson is believed to have remained on the scene since the standoff began after Dykes shot a school bus driver to death before taking Ethan from the bus. 

The sheriff's food delivery occurred while many members of the press were in Ozark to cover the funeral of slain driver Charles Poland, Jr.