In the end, the America’s Most Wanted segment Friday delivered a short, but powerful punch in the search for Jimmie Lee Mason Jr., wanted in the September murders of Thomas Tyrone “Tomcat” Davis and his girlfriend Jenlee Foster.

We salute the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office for using this popular and long running show to help catch the elusive Mason and salute America’s Most Wanted for choosing to air it.

The segment told a story of a cold-blooded, calculated murder, the emotional hardship it has caused and the consequences of poor decisions.

The segment shed new light on the murders, giving the TV show details that weren’t given local media, something we really don’t understand but for the sake of hoping Mason is found will save that argument for later.

Our Facebook readers were asked to give their thoughts on the show.

“I did not know them but that sure brought tears to my eyes ♥ wow! Hope they get that guy!” One of our readers posted.

“So sad and thanks to America’s Most Wanted. Maybe now he will be brought to justice and there will be at least some closure and prayers for Nevaeh (Foster’s daughter) and all the family,” another posted. “At least there's some hope now.”

“I think AMW covered the story as I have heard it. At least the story is out there for people outside of our area to know about. Hope it leads to an immediate arrest! Such a sad story,” yet another said.

There were also criticisms, especially of the glaring error that put the crime occurring in the town of Halifax instead of the outskirts of Roanoke Rapids.

There were criticisms of the photo of Mason that was used but, honestly, we were glad to have an alternate.

Some complained of the brevity and there not being enough information.

We would agree with the brevity but we appreciate the new details that came out, although they should have been given to local media first, but we understand the hook that TV must given.

So what did we learn from all this?

We learned that Mason allegedly acted as a coward, waiting for Davis to turn his back before shooting him, an act to us that betrayed the friendship Davis had given Mason as a promise to his incarcerated father.

We learned that Mason allegedly shot Foster, not once, but twice, first shooting her while holding her baby and then coming back after hearing her cry for help and delivering a death shot.

That Foster had a child, that Davis was a friend and mentor, meant nothing to Mason. Betrayal is easy when there’s money or drugs to be stolen.

We also learned Davis stubbornly refused to give up his drug dealing business when a child entered his life and remained friends and a mentor to Mason. It doesn’t make it right what Mason did but it sure increased his chances that something would go wrong. In the underworld of crime, you don’t have the luxury of friends and have to watch your back every second — Editor.