Sheriffs flip parties because of “The Relentless attack on law enforcement”
The hemmoraging of police officers and Sheriffs began with the riots and violence of the Black liLives Matter after the killing of George Floyd. A bad cop became the symbol for stereotyping all police officers as bad in many circles, aided by the sensationalist press. Many elected officials encouraged the “peaceful Protest” or ignored them without controlling the violence.
A huge movement to defund the police followed.
Sheriff Chip Shuler of Virginia’s Smyth County has become the third elected law enforcement official to call it quits with the Democratic Party in just the last year due to a “relentless attack on law enforcement by Democrats in Richmond and Washington,” Fox news reported.
“My deputies work hard to serve and protect the citizens of Smyth County. As sheriff, it has been difficult to watch my deputies try to move forward during this unprecedented assault on our profession,” Shuler said in a statement, fox cited WJHL. We (law enforcement) remain an honorable profession and should not be judged by the bad acts of a few. I have always been a conservative throughout my law enforcement career of 38 years.”
Besides Schuler, Sheriffs John McClanahan of Buchanan County and Brian Hieatt of Tazewell County both decided to step away from the party in 2020 according to the Fox report.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter recently announced that he will be changing his political affiliation to Republican to run for office, while calling out the Democrats for favoring “terrorist organization” Antifa, and for “ignor[ing]” law enforcement in a live video he posted, Lawenforcement Today reported
“From the very beginning, I’ve made it no secret that I’m a Constitutionalist, that I believe in the Constitution, and that I believe it’s concrete, and not up to a progressive interpretation.
“Unfortunately, throughout my term so far, I have repeatedly come under fire for my pro-Constitution beliefs.
“Twice in public meetings, Democrat elected officials have tried to censor my words and opinions because they did not agree with me.