CLARK COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) — A lieutenant for an Ohio Sheriff’s Office has apologized for Facebook posts saying that he would not help Democrats and would require voting proof before aiding them.
According to news station WHIO, John Rodgers, a Clark County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant for over 20 years, made several Facebook posts – some of which have been shared over 250,000 times – that suggested that he would factor in a caller’s voting preference when responding to emergency calls.
Other posts stated, “I am sorry. If you support the Democratic Party, I will not help you,” and “The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party, and I will not help you survive the end of days.”
According to WHIO, Rodgers wrote in another post that people would need to “provide proof of who you voted for” before rendering aid.
Rodgers has since apologized, blaming prescribed sleep aids for causing his “out of character” actions, reported The Associated Press.
WHIO obtained an investigative file and discovered in an inter-office communication with supervisors in which Rodgers wrote, “I do not remember writing these posts or deleting any posts.”
The file also indicates that Rodgers is prescribed sleeping medication, which Rodgers documented, adding, “It does cause some of my communication to be ‘out of character’ which is a documented side effect.”
Chief Deputy Mike Young sent a statement to the news station saying, in part, “The Office agrees the comments made were highly inappropriate and do not reflect the Sheriff’s Office’s service delivery to all residents, regardless of their voting preference.”
He also stated that the sheriff’s office and Rodgers “would work especially hard to regain the public’s trust.”
According to WHIO, the sheriff’s office apologized for Rodgers’ behavior and said he received a written reprimand for violating the department’s social media policy and will remain on duty.
