Thread: TX: Off-duty deputy wore gun in plain view at protest

Feb. 12, 2008, 9:20AM
Off-duty deputy wore gun in plain view at protest


By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Harris County sheriff's Lt. Louis Guthrie's decision to attend a weekend standoff between supporters of Hispanic day laborers and U.S. Border Watch Activists in Spring with his gun and badge in plain view has led to calls that the officer be disciplined.

A sheriff's office spokesman said Guthrie's actions probably amount to a violation of departmental policy, but aren't serious enough to warrant disciplinary action.

Guthrie, 37, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Precinct 4 constable in next month's primary, was off duty when he arrived at the intersection of Steubner-Airline and Wimbledon Estates, where Border Watch members and their opponents for months have gathered to trade jibes.

"We were very disturbed that a sheriff's lieutenant was openly consorting with known racists," said David Smith, a member of the Progressive Workers Organization. "He was not in uniform. He had his badge prominently displayed and his service revolver in plain view. It was awful to behold."

Border Watch officials say their organization's agenda isn't about race, but securing the country's border. Guthrie, a 17-year sheriff's officer, said he attended out of curiosity.

"I wanted to check out the site and find out what's going on," Guthrie said. "I understood that they had some homemade flags, something about taking back the land or taking Texas."

Guthrie said he greeted Border Watch members — the group has endorsed his candidacy — then turned to talk with jeering protesters.

Guthrie said he had been attired in a business suit, but removed the coat — revealing his side arm — because of the warm weather.

"I was talking to the Border Watch people and the were very friendly," Guthrie said. "The other side was screaming obscenities and saying that I was a racist. ... When I went over there to talk to them, several tried to surround me. I guess they thought they were going to intimidate me."

Although departmental policy requires off-duty officers to wear their badge and firearm, said sheriff's spokesman Capt. John Martin, it stipulates that the weapon not be visible.

"Is this an infraction?" Martin said, "Yes. Is it something that would rise to disciplinary action? Probably not."

Martin added that officials higher in the department would make that determination.

Smith, a government professor and avowed Marxist at the College of the Mainland, said his group and others engaged in the protest might explore other avenues of complaint against Guthrie.

League of United Latin American Citizens officials earlier expressed anger at Guthrie campaign literature they found insulting. Immigration issues have had a high profile in Guthrie's campaign against Republican incumbent Constable Ron Hickman. LULAC was not involved in Monday's complaint about Guthrie.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hot ... 34237.html

Progressive Workers Organization sounds like a Communist Party and I wouldn't stand near them either.

Dixie

Damn commies.

I'm glad the quote about their signs saying they want to take over part of the US made it into this article.

W

Bet the site of a peace officer was a relief to many and kept the peace by him being there.Is that not what law enforcement on or off duty are paid to do?If they surrounded him and shouted it showed that he was badly need there to keep some sort of order.It is his job to enforce our laws,not ignore those who threaten and support those that break them.Good for him and shame on anyone who says anything negative about it.

Dixie
PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject:

Progressive Workers Organization sounds like a Communist Party

They are before they were called Liberals but now they call themselves Progressives who views lean on Socialism aka Communism.

Socialism = Controling people using social program in the name of compassion. Economic system in which the production and distribution of goods are controlled substantially by the government rather than by private enterprise.


Communism = Same as Socialism except it is being forced by the end of a barrel.

Either way, both views always lead a nation to a downfall and sometimes unfortunately lead to deaths.

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

Damn commies.

I'm glad the quote about their signs saying they want to take over part of the US made it into this article.

W

So true commies, reconquistas what is the difference? Damn them both!