Hamilton County - Today, Hamilton County Sherriff Jim Hammond spoke to a crowded room of listeners, including members of the media, at the local Hamilton County Republican Party's Pachyderm Club.

Sheriff Hammond's address focused on the differences between the Islamic State and Muslims as a group of people. Sheriff Hammond stated "This speech is not about Muslins, but rather about the Islamic State and its extremists and how that state seeks to overthrow the Democratic Constitution of the Unites States."

Sheriff Hammond's comments were precipitated by his constitutional authority to protect the citizens of Hamilton County by both the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and the United States.

Sheriff Hammond's remarks met with a resounding standing ovation and were followed with numerous people in attendance asking questions pertaining to their local security and how we as a community can prevent future acts of terrorism in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.