Ex-Greene deputies lash out at sheriff-elect, say firings make public unsafe

Former members of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department are lashing out against sheriff-elect Steve Smith, claiming that citizens’ safety will be at risk once he takes over on Jan. 1.

Former Lt. Scott Cox sent an email to The Daily Progress Tuesday evening. He said the email was a collaborative effort with some of the men who had been released from duty.

“To all citizens of Greene County lock down your doors and stay alert as the men and women of the agency are short staffed and will be for a while,” the email reads.

The email claims that the sheriff’s office is “in no way ready for the first of the year change with 1/3 of the staff not employed and another ¼ untrained.”

The email goes on to say that Cox, Chief Deputy Randall Snead, Investigator John Haines, Sgt. Sean Sellari, Deputy Rudy Sprouse, and Darrel Lawson and Jimmy Shifflett of the Animal Control division have all lost their jobs. It claims that another six part-time personnel have quit their positions, and that 3 or 4 other employees are actively pursuing other employment.

“Steve Smith let go many viable and professional personnel because of personal endeavors, promises made to outside sources and lack of knowledge as it pertains to what is needed and what is wanted,” the email reads.

Smith disagreed with allegations that the sheriff’s department will be understaffed.

“The county will not be short-handed. We will have coverage January 1. We will in no way jeopardize the citizens of Greene,” he said, adding that he is already interviewing candidates to fill open positions.

“It’s really unprofessional when you do something like that and try to scare the public for no good reason,” he said of the email.

Smith added that at least one of the men whose names were attached to the email has attempted to distance himself from the conflict by saying he is not a part of the group.

“It tells me he put at least one person’s name on [the letter] that [the author] didn’t get permission from,” Smith said.

Moreover, Smith said that he did not intend to let so many employees go after taking over as sheriff. During the campaign, Smith said he witnessed some employees telling “lies” and decided not to continue their employment. Smith chose not to elaborate on the matter.

“The office that I’m coming into is going to have morals and integrity, and I’m not going to have that kind of stuff going on,” he said.

Smith added that Snead “probably wasn’t expecting to stay” because they ran against each other in the sheriff’s race in the fall. Snead has served as chief deputy since 2004, and worked as a deputy from 1994-1998.

“None of us are available for comment at this time as we are looking for employment and don't wish to jeopardize our chances,” Cox said.

Emails to Snead were not returned.