Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant apologizes for ‘won’t help Democrats’ post, blames sleep medication

FirstCircle@lemmy.ml to News@lemmy.world – 373 points – Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant apologizes for ‘won’t help Democrats’ post, blames sleep medication
seattletimes.com

Lt. John Rodgers, a 20-year sheriff’s veteran in Clark County, where Springfield is the county seat, made the statements in several posts on Facebook, WHIO-TV reported. In one post, he reportedly wrote: “I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you.” Another said: “The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days.”

The sheriff’s office said Rodgers, who has commanded the department’s road patrol, would remain on duty, with a written reprimand for violating the department’s social media policy.

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Sounds like grounds to challenge any and all of his decisions, including any legal charges he is associated with.

Good thing this man is given a gun and near carte blanch to shoot people he feels threatened by. /s

Yeah I would think a criminal defense attorney would be able to do a lot with this situation.

Sleep medication or not it shows a lot of bias in how this person enforces the law

MAGA: We're sick of all this new age bullshit FUCK YOUR FEELINGS real men are back, we're telling it like it is, no more bullshit Seneca Andrew Tate we're taking over whether you like it or not, don't tread on me civil war 1776

Also MAGA: It doesn't count, I was tired, undo

Sorry, but those are actual threats. And that fucker gets away with a reprimand?

"I know it will be difficult for the public to trust me, but I will do everything in my power to start mending that trust. I apologize from the bottom of my heart and want to ensure our community I will always serve to the best of my ability and strive to do better. I want to ensure the citizens in our community that I have always treated everyone with dignity and respect no matter our differences and will strive to show them I can do better."

No, you CAN'T do better, you've shown your true colors. If you really want to serve your community, you will step the fuck down.

I call bullshit. It’s an attempt to not only save face, but also to stave off lawsuits.

He should be removed.

His boss should be elected out of office if not. Sheriffs are elected and this is one of those double edged sword situations

"I intend to selectively enforce the law based on my political views" is basically what this guy said. He should not be in a position where he has any authority.

Ah yeah, it's always after I pop a Nytol that I start getting fascist thoughts and feel compelled to broadcast them to the world.

But you know, at least the sheriff's office has his back. I know my employer wouldn't tolerate me posting messages about using my job to selectively target our customers based on their political leanings. Which is good for him I suppose.

Whenever I pop some psylocybin I suddenly understand every new age hippie during the summer of 1967. So ya know, maybe it's a similar effect?

Or he's just an asshole

I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days.

If he ever decides the “end of days” is in progress, I think it would be safer for Democrats and Republicans not to be around him anyway.

Sounds like he has a substance abuse problem. Maybe he should be locked up for it. That's how the drug war works, right?

The only extent to which medication or intoxication can excuse saying something heinous is reducing the filters that prevent you from saying something that you believe is true but is uncouth. It doesn't excuse you having those opinions in the first place. Try again.

I think in general that's true, but man, taking something like Ambien and not actually going to sleep really messes you up lol I've only seen it happen to someone once, but it was scary AF

I guess I did just generalize biochemical processes that are anything but simple so a very fair point

I've been delirious on more drugs than I care to count, and I didn't suddenly become someone I'm not.

That said, when I thought sleep medication I figured something over the counter and Ambien didn't cross my mind. People do get quite loopy on it

Exactly. Getting drunk and arguing past the point you’d walk away sober? Happens. Zonked out on sleeping pills and tell your in laws that they really fucked up your spouse and that you have some resentment towards them for it? This will have consequences but there’s some sympathy there because it’s something you’re allowed to feel and foster, but not something you’re supposed to say. But this isn’t something a cop should be thinking, much less expressing

If he's that wacked out on drugs maybe he shouldn't have access to guns.

If it makes people feel any better Ohio cops already know who’s a democrat and don’t help us.

Seriously don’t call the cops around here without hiding your entirely legal marijuana

And honestly, fair enough. "End of days" I'll be flat-out robbing the police, not helping them.

He even looks like a movie character for whom they tried to cast a person that embodies dereliction of duty!

In ambien veritas, or something like that.

What a cowardly excuse

I'm sorry y'all it was the drugs talking.

This is the equivalent of "oh it was a joke, stop being sensitive."

Shitty people saying shitty things and getting away with it. 2024s theme.

From what I've heard,the Ambien Walrus usually makes people buy random shit on Amazon at 3AM, not blame all their problems on immigrants.

Weak ass MAGAT excuse and vote the useless mofo out of the Sheriff's office.

"Sheriff's patrol commander" doesn't sound like an elected position unfortunately.

That’s quality taking responsibility right there.