Video: After KKK Photo, An Apology

billybllyy June 26, 2012 at 09:14 pm

Wow! The Sheriff of Cherokee County wearing a KKK robe and hood right after a missing minority child was found murdered in a bungled case by the county and city also after a minor was shot by a SWAT team sniper. Let's think about TWO FACTS:
1. You don't go to wal-mart or a costume rental store to get that hood and robe combo kit. You get it from someone you know or you put your name on the dotted line. 2. Before Roger was elected he was a DRN officer. Well DNR officer's must complete a Federal Law Enforcement Academy. So that means he was a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. He should have known that it has been illegal for over 50 years to wear in Georgia. SOMETHING SMELLS ROTTEN MUST BE THE SHERIFF, WE MIGHT NEED A NEW ONE!!!!!

Roy Weatherby June 26, 2012 at 10:38 pm

I believe the sheriff is not a racist. I believe the KKK costume was just a silly stunt.
I also believe he has done a great deal to advance the sheriffs office. I also believe the time has come for new leadership in the sheriffs office because things have stagnated and morale is in the toilet. Roger did some great things but his time has passed. Let's applaud his achievements and wish him well in his next endeavor.

Chris Knowles June 27, 2012 at 12:57 am

Thanks for giving the Sheriff the time to give his point of view Rodney. The Sheriff showed exactly what kind of man he has become and has been to the law-abiding citizens of Cherokee County.

Dave Giaimo, Sr. June 27, 2012 at 01:17 am

Wait a second - THIS from the man who, on a daily basis, JAILS other "stupid 21 year olds"?!? C'mon, Sheriff - your hypocracy is showing. Forget the election - this man needs to step down NOW.

Barbara Holloway June 27, 2012 at 01:51 am

Roger Garrison has brought this county through a lot. What's in your closet?? Come on citizens. I do not think his time is up. I do not think his running mate is better. This is political mud slinging. And yes he is the same who jails the stupid. No he isn't perfect but I'd pretty much say NO man is.
This is a sign of the times when even little sleepy Canton has horrific crime.

Kimberly Porter Lucian June 27, 2012 at 03:07 am

I'm sorry, I didn't hear an apology.

Kary Sky 2 June 27, 2012 at 04:23 am

Maybe you didnt watch all the videos?

Lexi lane June 27, 2012 at 10:24 am

Nope, didn't hear an apology. I do think it was a stupid mistake, we all make stupid mistakes throughout life but..............us eveyday citizens have to pay for them. So sorry Sheriff !!!

Tom H Flat June 27, 2012 at 11:20 am

You applaud.....he's just another politician wanting to suckle a few more years. A bigot who got caught, they should run him out of office and deny all his benefits.

Sherry R June 27, 2012 at 12:03 pm

Roger Garrison is a good man. He will always have my vote in whatever he pursues. He has done a wonderful job and I hope he continues.

John Konop June 28, 2012 at 01:36 am

First I am Jewish and I support sheriff Garrison and find your remarks rediculous. Anyone who knows Roger would tell you he is extremely fair and very professional.
Second blaming the county for what happen in the city with the tragic situation with the young girl shows no class on your part. Why lie about this? Finally it has been reported in the other tragic situation that the teenager was drinking alcohol while taking prescription drugs while pointing a 357 magnum at a police officer in a neighborhood. The mother had called the police because of his behavior.......... I feel for the parents, but we must protect the community first, not make rediculous claims.

sweet tea please June 28, 2012 at 10:40 am

Roger has told groups of people that he isn't planning on running again for office...well I don't want a sheriff that is viewing the upcoming election as a pre-retirement term of office. He has been here 20 years!!!! Vote for the man who wants to be here long term and is dedicated to our future. Vote for DAVID WATERS FOR SHERIFF.

Give me a break June 28, 2012 at 12:49 pm

SWEET TEA PLEASE, even I say I am going to work for one more year, two more years etc......we all have to go at some time but that does not mean he is not going to do a good job. I still do my job to perfection. You are probably Waters wife or mother!
And for all the rest of you that are cutting the Sheriff for this, please open your closets and let us see what is in there. I, for one, will not be opening mine. As far as putting 21 yr. olds in jail, anybody of any age should be put in jail if what they are doing is illegal. To my knowledge, wearing a KKK costume is not illegal and can be found in any costume shop. Lets do what is best for the county AND KEEP SHERIFF GARRISON in office.

Kimberly Porter Lucian June 28, 2012 at 03:49 pm

You think you can walk into a costume shop and find a kkk uniform? False. I dont believe he was actually any part of the kkk, but it is terribly offensive even if he was younger. 21 is young but not young enough to know thats terrible. The fact people are actually defending that this is an ok thing to do is also rather disturbing. If a 21 year old came to your house on halloween dressed up in a kkk uniform, do you really think you would just laugh it off and say "oh you silly kid..." no, probably not. Does this sway my vote? Not really.. however people need to stop trying to justify this behavior because we all know what this uniform stands for.

Kimberly Porter Lucian June 28, 2012 at 03:54 pm

Not terrible^

Kimberly Porter Lucian June 29, 2012 at 12:57 am

You're right, I didn't realize there were more than one video.

Concerned For Cherokee June 29, 2012 at 04:06 am

OMGoodness! The Patch doesn't give me enough room to rebuttle this REDICULOUS joke! Let's start with video 8- all that video was was nothing but slander toward David Waters, yet he says in previous videos that "David" exposed this picture as a pitiful attempt by a desperate politician who can't run a race based on the issues. Hello pot?!? Next, Roger states SEVERAL times in video 5 that this was 27-30 years ago. Yet his website, http://www.sheriffrogergarrison.com/profile, says “More than 30 years in law enforcement” so which is it- you were or were not in law enforcement? It can’t be both! Also, if he isn't a racist, then someone explain to me why he has promoted several men and women to his command staff without experience, yet to the best of my knowledge, the ONLY African American given the position of Captain was around 1995 and it was publicized in the local papers because at that time he was being accused of being a racist because he never had an African American Leiutenant, Captain, etc? And she had no experience, and couldn’t do the job, so she left. But you’ve never “found” another “person of color” (as you refer to African Americans) worthy of such a distinguished title? Wake up people! This is just as ridiculous as Bill Clinton’s lies!!

Rodney Thrash (Editor) June 29, 2012 at 04:14 am

A few points of clarification, Concerned for Cherokee and others. 1) It is a violation of the terms of service to use only an alias. We know that people will not follow the rules, but we have to remind readers/viewers of this often. 2) Sheriff Garrison clearly stated that he was with one of two agencies at the time: the Canton Police Department or the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. 3) I'm African American, and people of color was a reference to all groups of color: Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, etc.

Concerned For Cherokee June 29, 2012 at 04:42 am

Thank you Rodney- I had seen it posted several times that Roger was not in law enforcement during that time. And for the People of Color remark, I will say I misread and was thinking of another remark. My apologies.

Rico June 29, 2012 at 07:22 pm

If this is the same John Konop of controlcongress.com I used to be a loyal follower and caller of the show. I am surprised that John doesn't want to control local career politicians. I wonder what John thinks about the black balloon?

Rico June 29, 2012 at 07:40 pm

The sheriff says he has a "Perfect 20 year record" ? Okay, after watching the videos I still didn't hear a response to the "Black Balloon" and it's signifigance. I don't recall a black balloon in Blazing saddles.