Outside of our quiet neighborhoods and communities is a bustling highway with two major interstates that dump traffic into town.

There are transients and tourists that come through, and numerous acclaimed events that attract visitors here.

And despite that, tragedy strikes very rarely.

But everyday, behind the scenes, emergency personnel and police train day in and day out in preparation.

Never becoming jaded or complacent, the men and women of our local police agencies remain prepared to handle any event, should it arise.

Their skills were put to the test in the last two weeks, as they were called upon to search for a missing person.

Dara Lee Watson, 31-years-old, of 2338 North Creek Drive was reported missing on Friday, Feb. 10.

Her vehicle was discovered burned in the area of Halfway Creek Road located in the Francis Marion National Forest.

Working in partnership with multiple agencies a search was conducted in the area and investigators fielded leads from the community and evidence found throughout the search process.

Sadly, the story did not end well.

Her fiance, David Hedrick, was found with a gunshot wound to his head, in the home they shared in Rivertowne.

It was later determined that this was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police quickly determined that her fiance was solely responsible for her disappearance.

Police officers from multiple agencies put in countless hours, searching for Watson or any clue that might lead to her whereabouts.

They worked tirelessly traipsing through thick brush and endless marsh and wetlands for any sign.

Divers were brought in to scour ponds and lakes.

Watson, was found buried in a shallow grave not far from where her burned-out car was found.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office announced that Watson had died of a gunshot wound.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Harry Sewell said that the area where Watson's body was found had previously been searched extensively.

But heavy rain settled the ground and revealed new evidence.

It is hard for the general public to comprehend the few pieces of evidence released to the media for use in dissemination.

But it is not the job of the public to try and piece together the puzzle of an ongoing police case.

It is the job of the investigators, and quietly behind the scenes, they were doing that.

And they did not stop until they found Watson.

The general public was not told everything.

There were some things that needed to remain for the ears of investigators only.

There were some things the public had no reason to know.

Sure, there were those who criticized investigators during the entire search.

And there will be those who criticize in the coming days.

But those who critique don't walk in the shoes of the men and women who searched tirelessly for this young woman.

They will never know the pressure these men and women faced.

They will never know the emotional toll it took.

It takes a very strong person to choose a career in law enforcement or emergency search and rescue.

They deserve immeasurable gratitude for their professionalism and hard work during this emotionally charged chain of events.