Some of you may have noticed that my family and I are staunch supporters of Randy Freeman. You’ve probably seen my dad’s truck around town. It’s the small green Nissan sporting “Elect Randy Freeman Sheriff” signs with small United States flags blowing in the breeze.

I have known Randy for many years, as I was employed by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for 17-1/2 years as a jailer. I served under four different sheriffs, i.e., Tommy Ferrell, Ronnie Brown, Angie Brown, and present-day sheriff Chuck Mayfield.

During those years, Randy and I often worked together inside the jail processing prisoners. Randy exemplified professionalism at all times.

I was aware of the non-patrol and investigative officers driving office vehicles. There were also some who had not been certified (having gone through the academy) and yet Mr. Mayfield allowed them to carry weapons both inside and outside the jail. For officers to be armed, they had to graduate from the academy. Of course, this requirement no longer applies since our state legislature passed the law about allowing citizens in good standing to be armed.

One of the first things that Randy told those of us who were working for his election was that there would be no mudslinging on our part. Because of that stipulation, I will not share information about some of the other problems that were happening in the sheriff’s department while Mr. Mayfield has been sheriff. These other problems led to the low morale within the sheriff’s department and the large turnover in the office personnel.

My employment was terminated almost two years ago. At that time, Mr. Mayfield was not really in charge of how the jail was being run. He let others actually run the day-to-day activities of the department.

Although I requested a chance to review the unfair treatment and harassment that I had received while trying to do my job, Mr. Mayfield did not have the courtesy to hear me out. Someone other than the sheriff fired me. I thought that the sheriff had the responsibility of hiring and firing, but this was not the way it was in my case. Even though Mr. Mayfield verbally said that he would check into the problems and get in touch with me, I never received any notification from Mr. Mayfield about being fired.

I actually contacted two lawyers who read the list of grievances enumerating the unjust ways that I had been treated. Both of them said that I had a good case, but Mississippi is “an at-will” state which means that the sheriff can hire and fire at will.

Morale among the deputies is low. Officers who have been on the force for years have learned that some deputies who have been employed for less time are making more money than those with more seniority. (Public payroll is available in the courthouse and can be viewed by anyone.)

Randy Freeman will be a sheriff who will be involved in all aspects of serving as sheriff. He has the training and experience needed to run the sheriff’s office as it should be run. He will be willing to listen to the public and to his staff. He will be a full-time sheriff. Having his name and/or his picture in The Natchez Democrat is not one of his priorities. Protecting and serving the people of Adams County is all the motivation that he needs.

I ask that you make the very best choice on Aug. 4 and elect Randy Freeman the sheriff of Adams County.

 

Mark Gray is an Adams County resident.