Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant apologizes after saying he won’t help Democratic voters

An Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant, John Rodgers, issued an apology after facing backlash for social media posts in which he suggested he would refuse to assist people who voted for Democrats and would demand proof of voting choices before offering help. The posts, made ahead of Tuesday’s elections, drew immediate criticism and led to a reprimand from his employer, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Rodgers, a long-serving lieutenant with the sheriff’s department in Clark County—which includes the city of Springfield—reportedly made several inflammatory remarks on Facebook. In one post, he allegedly wrote, “I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you.” He went on to imply he knew which individuals supported the Democratic Party and would “not help [them] survive the end of days.” Another post reportedly stated that anyone seeking assistance would need to “provide proof of who you voted for” to receive aid.

The posts quickly attracted attention, prompting a response from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. In a public statement to local news outlet WHIO, the sheriff’s office condemned Rodgers’ remarks, calling them “highly inappropriate” and emphasizing that the comments “in no means reflect the Clark County Sheriff’s Office delivery of service to ALL our community.” The statement also underscored that Rodgers’ views did not align with the sheriff’s office’s mission and values.

The reprimand has sparked debate within the community about the responsibilities of law enforcement officers to remain politically impartial, especially when serving communities with diverse political views. Despite the controversy, Rodgers has only been reprimanded, with no further disciplinary action reported.