Shaming the Badge

People change. Circumstances change. And there is no knowing for sure what crime we might stoop to if we were pressed or tempted strongly enough. Religions teach us that none of us is better than the other guy - any of us might break those Ten Commandments. They also teach us that those who are doing what is right need to pull the other guy up and bring him back to doing what he should, instead of what he shouldn’t.

So here we have in Arapahoe County a man who was once named the national “sheriff of the year” who was arrested on November 29, 2011 on charges of providing methamphetamine to a police informant in exchange for sex. Patrick Sullivan is now 68 and retired from his position as Arapahoe County Sheriff. One has to wonder what would cause him to do this.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said, "Sullivan arranged to meet with an adult male acquaintance and agreed to provide (him) with methamphetamine in exchange for a sexual encounter.” Robinson said that this particular arrest was "extraordinarily disturbing and troubling." He added: "But no one, and particularly a current or a former peace officer is above the law."

Two informants had told police that Sullivan was one of their suppliers, giving them meth in exchange for sexual activity. Audio and video equipment was then installed in the home of one of the men. After Sullivan gave the man the meth, he was arrested, charged with distributing a controlled substance, and held on a $500,000 bond. How ironic that he would now serve time in the jail that was proudly named after him!

It is really sad to see someone who was once a good example now lowered to the position of being nothing but a good warning. People and circumstances change, and temptations pull at the best of men. But the law stands firm, and when it is wrong, it is wrong for everyone.