To Rennie with love: Community rallies for ailing deputy

Half the supporters who came knew Rennie Miles. All of them, numbering in the hundreds, showered him with love and dug deep into their pockets for donations toward his medical expenses.

Lt. Lorenzo "Rennie" Miles, a veteran of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, was overwhelmed.

"Some of the people I know and a lot of them I don't know, and I never thought that people would turn out for me like this," Miles said. "It shows how much people are concerned about each other."

An estimated 200 people filed through the Princess Anne Fire Company for a Saturday, Feb. 25, fundraiser that featured a cornhole toss competition, food and beverages, raffles, fellowship and most of all, a chance to greet Miles who spent much of the day shaking hands and posing for pictures with friends and total strangers.

"Rennie has never met a stranger," said Tod Richardson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. He recalled meeting Miles years ago, and embracing him as though they were old friends.

Some, like Cynthia Adkins of Nanticoke, rode in from Wicomico County on motorcycles with members of the Hogs for Heroes civic group. Meghan Eshleman made the drive with friends from Kent Island.

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"My boyfriend's mom had the same kind of cancer, and we wanted to come and show our support," Eshleman said. "My boyfriend competes in the Maryland Cornhole League, and while this is farther than he would normally go to compete, once we heard about the cause, we wanted to come."

Others traveled from out of state. Like Ralph Floyd of a Delaware Department of Corrections facility. He met Miles for the first time.  "I wanted to come to help out," he said.

Miles is counted among the region's top police investigators, his outreach as an instructor of interrogation techniques at law enforcement agencies stretching the country. And from all over, supporters are reaching out to relieve his worry about medical bills.

"He's going through chemotherapy, and we're not sure if insurance would pay for everything," said Somerset Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy George Nelson. "We want to make sure he has enough money, and that money is not a burden."

Comrades at the sheriff's office organized Saturday's event although Nelson said individual and group support was widespread .

"We have three pages — full of sponsors," he said.

They hoped to raise at least $10,000.

"It's for a good cause," said Marc Henderson, who retired from the Wicomico Sheriff's Office.

He attended with his wife, Robin, who works at Princess Anne Elementary School. "He's really worth it," she said.

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A large black-and-blue striped American flag hung from a ladder fire truck outside the firehouse, as lively crowds spilled onto the sidewalk and outdoor picnic tables. Many sported T-shirts inscribed with the message, "Rennie — We Got Your  6."

Barb Gregory of the Women of the Moose organization in Salisbury sold "Roses for Rennie" corsages tied with purple ribbons. Miles sported one on his gray-colored Sheriff's Office T-shirt.

Priceless, Miles said, was the camaraderie of the community and interaction between citizens and members of public safety agencies.

"Especially with the police," he said. "It's good to see the community come together; law enforcement is getting a bad rap."

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