The Town Talk
Posted on June 2, 2003
Byline Mandy Goodnight

His farewell speech took two days to compose.

Each letter was typed with the movement of his eyes. As the computer-generated voice read his words, Deputy Mike Wiley remained solemn.

A small crowd gathered at the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office Tioga substation to bid Wiley farewell this past Friday. Wiley, who is fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease, decided to hang up his badge.

The terminal disease causes the nervous system to break down. Wiley no longer has use of his arms and legs. He is losing movement in his neck. Wiley's communication is largely limited to what his eyes can command a computer attached to his wheelchair to type.

His wife, Molly, stands near his side, helping when she is needed.

Wiley told the crowd gathered that he appreciated their support.

"I hope you all realize I will never forget what you did for me and my family in our time of need," Wiley said through the computer's voice. "The love you all showed us was and still is a blessing, and I thank God for each of you."

The sentiment was mutual.

Sheriff William Earl Hilton became emotional as he bid Wiley farewell. He called Wiley "a role model" who worked endless hours. "We hate to see you go," Hilton said.

Chief Deputy Bill Robinson said there are countless juveniles throughout the parish who have been touched by Wiley.

Wiley has worked in law enforcement 21 years, with the majority of his work in the juvenile division. Over the years, the father of seven also has been involved with Sunday school classes at St. Michael's Episcopal Church and area Boy Scouts.

Molly Wiley said it is amazing the number of people who walk up to Wiley to tell him how they remember him helping them years ago.

"I never realized how many people he had touched," she said.

Wiley was diagnosed in October 2001. He first noticed something was wrong, as he attempted to fire a gun and his hand cramped up. Officers had to pry the weapon from his hands.

But the diagnosis did not slow Wiley down a bit. He began work to train a juvenile officer to help him and then replace him. He even continued making arrests as long as he could.

Up until his final day, Wiley made it to work almost every day.

Wiley's wife has stood by his side. Wiley thanked her for putting "up with all the baggage I bring home."

"I guess you know by now I love my job," the computer read Wiley's words. "I hate to leave like this, but God has other plans for me.