### Ohio Sheriff's Commander Apologizes for Controversial Facebook Posts

An Ohio sheriff's patrol commander, Lt. John Rodgers, has issued an apology following uproar over statements he made on Facebook, where he declared his refusal to assist Democrats and demanded proof of voting records prior to offering help. The patrol commander from Clark County, which includes Springfield, attributed his controversial posts to the adverse effects of prescribed sleep aids.

Rodgers, a veteran of the sheriff's office for 20 years, posted several incendiary remarks online. In one, he explicitly stated, "If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you." Another post indicated his intention not to help Democrats "survive the end of days."

In response to these posts, the Clark County Sheriff's Office has issued a written reprimand to Rodgers for breaching their social media policy. Chief Deputy Mike Young emphasized the department's commitment to protecting the rights of all community members, regardless of political affiliation. Young acknowledged the gravity of Rodgers' actions but reassured the public that necessary steps have been taken to address the issue.

This controversy comes at a sensitive time, as Clark County had recently been thrust into the national spotlight due to false claims about Haitian immigrants made by former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance. Despite these tensions, Clark County Elections Director Jason Baker assured that the public remains safe, with both the sheriff's office and Springfield Police Department providing security during the election count.

A formal statement from the sheriff's office clarified that Rodgers' comments do not align with their mission and values, and emphasized the ongoing effort to rebuild community trust. Rodgers himself responded to the reprimand by explaining that he did not recall making the posts and discovered them only after a coworker raised concerns. He ceased his use of the sleep aid upon learning of the issue and deactivated his Facebook account.

Clark County is not alone in dealing with social media misconduct by law enforcement personnel. Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski recently faced backlash for comments perceived as voter intimidation. The accusations led the Portage County Board of Elections to decide against using sheriff's deputies for election security this year.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose addressed concerns about voter safety stemming from these incidents by expressing confidence in the professionalism and dedication of law enforcement officers who, despite occasional "ill-advised" comments from their superiors, remain committed to their duties.

These events highlight the ongoing need for law enforcement agencies to uphold impartiality and maintain community trust, especially in politically charged environments.