“Yesterday a citizen walking on Agate Beach found the body of a deceased person. That person has been identified as Clinton Jefferson Williams, Gitche Gumee County Sheriff. The coroner has declared the manner of death as a homicide…”

“Governor James E. Boyle Jr. appointed Retired FBI Special Agent Thomas T. Thomas to fill the remainder of the term as GG County Sheriff…”

Television has sold us on complexity and conspiracy. In the real world things are basically simple. Of a series of choices the least complex is usually the right one (parsimony).

“Yesterday we arrested a person of interest in the death of former sheriff Clinton Jefferson Williams…”

If one subject committed one crime alone, one time, he stands a chance of getting away with it, absent factors he cannot control. But multiply any of those factors and the chance of solution grows exponentially.

Do everything over again. Confirm all NCIC entries, reissue APBs.

“No telephone call at 3 am ever brings good news.”

“…it was a matter of new eyes and going back to the basics.”

“Dogs don’t lie.”