Crime & Safety

Sheriff's Office Captain Resigns Following Internal Investigation

A captain with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office has resigned after an internal investigation.

A captain with the has resigned after comments posted on his Facebook page lead to an internal investigation into comments he had made with other department employees present. 

Lewis Rusgrove, who identified himself on the Facebook page as a sheriff's office employee, was initially suspended but resigned May 19 following an internal investigation.

Sheriff Jud Smith said the department has a social media policy that asks employees to not identify themselves as part of the department.

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"I believe in your right to free speech and I don't want to infringe on that," Smith said. "I don’t believe we did at this point.

"We as law enforcement officers cannot look at someone and decide whether we are going to help them," Smith continued. "We can’t be biased in any way. There is no way. We’ve got to defend and assist any person."

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Smith said his employees are entitled to their opinions, but due to the nature of their jobs they must remain unbiased while serving the county.

"I think the message has been sent that they know now, regardless of their opinion, if you’re on duty, you’re in uniform, you are to protect and serve every citizen and do that to your best of your ability," Smith said. "If you can’t do that, there’s no place for you at the sheriff’s office."

WSBTV has the story, as well as Rusgrove's comments that prompted the initial suspension.


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