By Mark Anderson
GOSHEN, Ind.—On January 10, before a gathering of 300 patriotic Americans, former Sheriff Richard I. Mack expounded upon the importance of an American sheriff, lauding Elkhart County, Indiana Sheriff Brad Rogers. Rogers did his duty by defending a local farmer from ongoing harassment by the Food and Drug Administration just for selling raw milk.
Mack, who recounted the story of his awakening from being a typical “by-the-book” cop in Utah, to his days as a constitutionally aware sheriff in southeast Arizona, said that Rogers’s inspiring example as a sheriff who protects his constituents from abuse of authority is based on Rogers’s understanding that the oath he took to uphold, defend and obey the state and federal constitutions is a critically important thing. It’s something that more sheriffs need to emulate.
Mack stressed, at an event attended by AMERICAN FREE PRESS: “It’s all in the oath. If he keeps it, you win—America wins.” During his overview of the role of sheriffs and the rule of law, Mack was especially glad to announce that a big gathering of county sheriffs from across the nation will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 30. Some 75 sheriffs pledged to attend.
“Local officials, especially your sheriff, will [be asked to] do one simple thing—keep your oath of office,” Mack told this writer.
Mack added: “Before you can take your job, you swore an oath of allegiance to the Constitution—not to the government, not to other public officials, not to the president, but to the people. You swore to uphold and defend their rights.”
He continued: “We decided there was an opportunity to create a lot more ‘Sheriff Brad Rogerses’ all across the country.” Thus, the upcoming Vegas conference, organized by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, was scheduled.
The hope is that the federal government, due to a growing number of sheriffs who honor their oath, will begin exercising only the few powers delegated to it under the United States Constitution. And, as the 10th Amendment says, the rest would be reserved to the states and the people.
Mark Anderson is AFP’s roving editor. Listen to Mark’s weekly radio show and email him at [email protected].
