A Louisiana sheriff’s captain has resigned after pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and his resignation statement is incredible.
Former St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Officer Clay Higgins has made a string of incendiary videos for a weekly Crime Stoppers address, but his latest video drew the ire of the ACLU and eventually led to his resignation. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz told KLFY he instructed Higgins to “tone down” the rhetoric, but he wouldn’t. When Higgins resigned Monday, he left with a statement as epic as his videos.
“I will not kneel to violent street gangs,” Higgins said. “I will not kneel to murderers or the parents that raised them. I will not kneel to a discredited wanna be black activist that doesn’t really have the best interest of his people in mind. He just wants to make a profit, and I will not kneel to bureaucrats or politicians, in Washington or Baton Rouge, who have forgotten why they wear a badge, and who they serve.”
Higgins said that while he respects the sheriff, he did not swear an oath to him.
“I’d like to speak for a moment, about the badge that I turned in today,” Higgins said. “All of us, that wear badges, begin our jobs with an oath. A sacred oath, sworn by generations of courageous Americans before us. But that oath, that allegiance, is not to a Sheriff, it’s not to a Chief. It’s to the constitutional principles that our badge represents. It’s to the people, that we’ve sworn to serve and protect. It’s to an American nation, that hungers for truth, and justice. strength, and compassion. It’s to a world torn asunder by forces that men like me have sworn by our own life’s blood to defeat. as we stand as one, against the very gates of Hell.”
The full statement is here from KATC.
“I’ve asked you all here today, with a heavy heart, to advise of my resignation from the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office.
I’ve met with the Sheriff, he has accepted my resignation. I was not forced to resign, the Sheriff did not ask for my resignation. Rather, I’ve turned in my badge as a matter of conscience.
If I may, for just a moment, I’d like to explain.
I begin each day, from bended knee.. But I kneel to our Savior.
I will not kneel, to violent street gangs… I will not kneel, to murderers… or the parents that raised them… I will not kneel, to a discredited wanna-be black activist, that doesn’t really have the best interest of his people in mind, he just wants to make a profit… and I will not kneel, to bureaucrats or politicians, in Washington or Baton Rouge, who have forgotten why they wear a badge, and who they serve.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would die, rather than sacrifice my principles. I would give my life, leave my wife without a husband, my children without a daddy, rather than kneel to the very forces of evil that I so long stood against.
So, if I would sacrifice my life for my principles, surely you must understand, that I must sacrifice my job.
It saddens me, that I feel compelled to do so, because I love my Sheriff, I admire my Sheriff… I respect him, he’s a good man, with a good heart. Although I’d take a bullet for my Sheriff, although I’d stand with him against any peril. I cannot abide by his current orders. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.
Paul told us in Corinthians, to place not your faith in the wisdom of man… but in the spirit and power of God.
I haven’t always been the man that stands before you today. I’ve spent the last 15 years of my life, struggling to become a better man.
I will not go back. I will not retreat. I will not step away from the path the Lord has prepared for me. I will not succumb to the powers of darkness that I’ve encouraged the world to stand up against. I will be the man, that our Lord intends for me to be. No matter the cost.
I’d like to speak for a moment, about the badge that I turned in today. All of us, that wear badges, begin our jobs with an oath. A sacred oath, sworn by generations of courageous Americans before us. But that oath, that allegiance, is not to a Sheriff, it’s not to a Chief. It’s to the constitutional principles that our badge represents. It’s to the people, that we’ve sworn to serve and protect. It’s to an American nation, that hungers for truth, and justice. strength, and compassion. It’s to a world torn asunder by forces that men like me have sworn by our own life’s blood to defeat. as we stand as one, against the very gates of Hell.
If I were to continue to wear the badge I resign from today, and to work within the parameters that I’ve been commanded. I would tarnish that badge. I would violate the principles that it represents. And I just can’t do that.
Many of you know, the way I grew up. we raised and trained horses. There’s a saying, amongst equestrians, and Cowboys… Some horses just don’t run well with bit in their mouth. I’m one of those horses. I don’t do well reigned in. Which is exactly what my a Sheriff said he intended to do.
So, although I love and respect my Sheriff… I must resign. Because as a soldier, if I cannot conscientiously carry out my assigned orders… Then I must resign my post.
It has been my great honor, to serve with the men and women of the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office. It has been my great privilege, to serve, the citizens of St. Landry Parish… The home, that has adopted me, as I’ve adopted it. My future is bright, because the path I’m on, is illuminated by Gods light… and by his grace, I’ll move forward. My endeavor, with Captain Higgins Gear, the non-profit I’ve established to build a homeless shelter in our parish, will move forward.
I will continue to be a cop, I’ve got many options. And I will prayerfully reflect upon the choices I’ll make over these next few weeks.
In closing, I make this promise, to the citizens of St. Landry Parish… The badge I turned in today, doesn’t belong to my Sheriff. It belongs to you, the people, my fellow children of God of every creed and color. And it’s to you, the people, that I promise this day. If it be Gods will, I will wear your badge again, and it will shine.
WATCH:
Captain Clay Higgins respectfully tenders his resignation to the Sheriff of St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Posted by Captain Clay Higgins on Monday, February 29, 2016
In the video in question, Higgins threatens members of a local gang and calls them “heathens,” which outraged ACLU Louisiana.
WATCH:
Send tips to casey@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. Follow Casey on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.