An Ohio county sheriff’s lieutenant is under fire over social media posts in which he said he would not help residents based on their political affiliation.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant John Rodgers reportedly made several posts on Facebook saying he would consider residents’ voting preference when responding to emergency calls, and would not be offering assistance to anyone who voted for Democrats.
“At the end of the day I will require proof of who you voted for if you ask me for help,” Rodgers wrote. “Weapons and ammo are not cheap.”
“I am sorry. If you support the Democrat party I will not help you,” he said in another.
In another post, according to WTRF, Rodgers wrote, “the problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party, and I will not help you survive the end of days.”
In a letter to his superiors obtained by the Springfield News-Sun, Rodgers wrote that he does not remember “writing these posts or deleting any posts.”
Rodgers said he takes prescribed sleeping medication which sometimes “cause some of my communication to be ‘out of character’ which is a documented side effect.”
Rodgers apologized for the posts and said he has decided to stop taking the medication.
“I know in this day and age society has a perception of law enforcement that may not always be positive, and I have now added to that perception,” he said. “I accept responsibility for the messages, and I deeply regret making them.”
Chief Deputy Mike Young also apologized for Rodgers’ posts, saying they do not represent the views of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’ve been in this battle over the last few months, with the attacks on the Haitian community and other immigrants, and we protect people’s rights and we don’t support the conduct to the contrary,” Young added. “I can’t go back in time and take that post away; the lieutenant made the post and he has received consequences for that.”
Rodgers received a written reprimand for his conduct and will remain on duty.
