OSWEGO – Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton’s flag flying controversy was the main topic discussed during yesterday’s County Legislature public hearing.
Fifteen county residents took to the podium, in support of, or against the officer’s behavior in displaying a President Donald Trump campaign flag on an on-duty Sheriff Patrol boat during an Oneida Lake pro-Trump flotilla on August 2.
Several residents spoke out against Hilton’s move in using government property and taxpayer money to display what might be seen as an overt political agenda, while others stood up for the Sheriff and his support of the flotilla participants and Trump’s backing of police around the U.S.
Neil Barney Jr. was one of the first to speak out against Sheriff Hilton’s behavior and lack of apology in correcting the situation.
“The morning I sat down to read the [news], I was stunned to see the headline on page one; “Sheriff says no problem with flying Trump campaign flag on county boat.” To think for a second that this was acceptable in any shape, form or fashion shows a profound lack of judgment on Sheriff Don Hilton’s part,” Barney said. “If this is how Sheriff Hilton operates, then we must call into question the hiring practices of the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Hilton swore an oath to all people of Oswego County, not just President Trump supporters. By his actions, Sheriff Hilton has already made a difficult and thankless job that much more difficult.”
Barney went on to call for the resignation of the Sheriff, while other participants stood at the podium repeatedly questioning why Sheriff Hilton had yet to apologize for breaking county law. Others residents stood, expressing disbelief over people’s reactions to Hilton’s First Amendment Rights in displaying the flag.
Another resident named Joe (last name not yet confirmed) spoke in support of Sheriff Hilton, pointing out the negative feedback relating to the Sheriff’s perceived intentions.
“My name is Joe Saltalamachia and I’m here to support the Sheriff. I’m here to support him and I’m thinking he was set-up, I don’t care what anybody says,” Saltalamachia said.
“This is supposed to be a free country; you’re supposed to be able to voice your opinion. Well, he was trying to be a nice guy [and] do something for the guys. They were all out there having fun; they weren’t doing anything wrong. That’s what the Sheriffs were there for – to make sure nobody was doing anything wrong… Well, being the nice guy that he is, he flew the flag in the boat. Who’d he hurt? Nobody. Anybody that’s speaking their mind, they put you down, and it’s wrong! Wake up. Wake up before it’s too late. If you’re not voting for Trump, you haven’t got my support,”Saltalamachia said.
Legislators Marie Schadt and Thomas Drumm spoke in favor of the Sheriff, yet recognized the need for accountability regarding Hilton’s ongoing situation.
“This is not a personal judgment against Sheriff Hilton. I voted for him, I told him that,” Schadt said. “This is about accountability, this is an example. We all have to answer to the taxpayer, that’s what we signed up for. And if we don’t uphold the rules [and] correct conduct, we have no credibility. It’s hard enough for a politician to have any credibility, believe me.”
Drumm said they have shown support for Sheriff Hilton in the past.
“We’re strong supporters of law enforcement,” Drumm said. “I’m comfortable saying he’s done a halfway decent job, but there needs to be some earnest that a mistake was made. So, I think the ball’s very much in his court.”
Late last night, Sheriff Hilton responded with a letter from his office, admitting his mistake while adding his own personal views to the political climate across the nation at this time.
“While I stand by my personal beliefs, I do regret that some people, veterans in particular, were uncomfortable with the display of an altered American flag,” Hilton said in the letter. “There was no disrespect intended.”
The following is the letter he released from the Sheriff’s Office:
Statement by Sheriff
On August 2, 2020, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department marine patrol was providing security on Oneida Lake during a Trump Flotilla event. It is standard practice for our marine patrol to be on duty every weekend throughout the summer and to provide security for all on-the-water events. In this instance, I was on the marine patrol boat with our Deputies. During the event, a participant handed us a flag, and I allowed it to be flown from the patrol boat during the event. As I have previously stated, I did this to show support for the event participants and for our President, who has supported law enforcement at a time when many groups are unjustly vilifying our profession. To do so was my decision only, not my deputies’, and I take full and sole responsibility for it.
After the event, Oswego County Chairman Weatherup reminded me that County policy prohibits the display of altered US Flags on County property. I understand that policy. Today I met with all members of the Oswego County Legislature and assured them it will not happen again. I have received many letters of both support and criticism. While I stand by my personal beliefs, I do regret that some people, veterans in particular, were uncomfortable with the display of an altered American flag. There was no disrespect intended.
Nevertheless, writing now not as Sheriff, but as an American citizen who has proudly spent his career serving the public as a law enforcement officer, this incident has inspired me to be even more vocal about the unjust and hypocritical criticism of police by anti-democracy groups and certain politicians who pander to them. I will do so on my own time, on my own dime… and as loudly as I can!
I respect the right of people to have a critical opinion of what I did – this is America after all, and freedom of speech is part of what the flag stands for. But let’s keep a clear-headed perspective here: I flew a political flag on taxpayers’ property, yet many of the people criticizing me for that also defend rioters who destroy taxpayers’ property! Is it a sign of people thinking reasonably when they support policies that excuse and set free those who commit criminal acts of violence and assault, while at the same time call for the termination of me and my Deputies simply for flying a flag? It is not.
I am proud of each and every one of my Deputies and Officers, and of the service and sacrifices they make every day to keep the public safe. I honor and respect all the men and women of law enforcement I have served alongside over the past three decades. I am proud of my career serving the public. And I remain dedicated to continuing to impartially enforce the law, keep our communities safe. That will never change.
Sincerely…
Donald R. Hilton
County Legislature Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month.
Would we be having these discussions if it was a gay-pride flotilla & the sheriffs flew a rainbow flag to show support of it?….I doubt it!
Robert – an interesting question. Is the rainbow a candidate for public office?
This is disgusting that our leaders are focusing on giving these terrorists a voice for something that did nothing to them. F these hypocrites. Ignore their BS. Focus on something that actually matters instead.
He mentioned rioters destroying taxpayers properties. What’s that got to do with your bad judgment of flying a Trump flag? I also read something about what if I flew a black lives matter flag? I think you would be in the same boat as to speak. By the way how many black officers do you have on the sheriffs department? Also isn’t there black police on other departments? So I guess you only support white police officers? It seems to me you would be the first to fire an officer if they flew a black lives matter flag with regard to your letter. Not all people that protest are rioters and not all rioters are black. We had two protest in Oswego that were peaceful with a large inclusive attendance. I saw two police officers there and the weren’t flying any flags. Oh I guess the Oswego police have more sense than the county sheriff. You broke county RULES and should maybe pay for it with some kind of salary fine and time off. Nobody is above the law. Oh yea you were flying a Trump flag….
Exactly Robert! Apparently it’s only acceptable to express your viewpoint as long as it isn’t conservative & traditional. I, for one, am bloody sick of being told my vote doesn’t matter because I’m conservative and I will continue to support our President, and anyone, sheriff or no, who flies his flag will also have my support.
Trump 2020 , he supports Law Enforcement , So much fun to see the liberals crying & whining over a Trump flag ?????
Sheriff Hilton broke the law. Sheriff Hilton abused his power. Sheriff Hilton is causing fear and alarm among many of the citizens of the region who oppose the extreme right-wing political agenda of the president. Sheriff Hilton is loudly proclaiming love and admiration for a president many American citizens consider to be a racist and a fascist. Sheriff Hilton should resign. Quickly.
I love how Trump supporters, whenever something happens Trump related where that they can’t come up with a reason defense for, it’s automatically “he was set up”. Or, “Fake news!”.
Fact of the matter is, he did it on taxpayer property, while on taxpayer’s time. He absolutely has “free speech” like the rest of us. He can fly whatever flag he wants on HIS OWN boat, when HE ISN’T currently isn’t punched in on the taxpayer’s time-clock.
Theresa Van Alstyne,
Just because your viewpoint is “conservative & traditional” doesn’t mean you get a pass, even if you delusionally believe you’re somehow being told your “vote doesn’t matter”. The truth of the matter is, you aren’t significant enough for most people to even care what your opinion is in the first place, let alone actively trying to attack you for it.
You have the same rights as everyone else. I’m sorry the mass majority of people don’t agree with your beliefs, but frankly, that doesn’t matter. It’s no different than if the sheriff were to have flown an “Anti-Trump” flag.
Hilton broke the law, then used his official position to share his personal political views in his non-apology. And in that non-apology, admitted he broke the law and rationalized it with a “Yeah, but other people break the law…” comment. It sounds like he’s giving us permission to use that rationalization the next time one of his team pulls us over for for some infraction.
The guy is clearly incapable of understanding how his actions are unlawful and his words inappropriate. Because of that, he should step down and let someone with integrity take over.
Are we ready to > Cross the line in the Sand<???