Recently I learned of the passing of former Salisbury Police Capt. Stauffer, a 28 year veteran. I also learned that Salisbury Mayor Barry Tilghman and Chief of Police Alan Webster were not in attendance at Capt. Stauffer's funeral. Upon hearing this I was absolutely incensed. How could it be that a retired veteran police officer with 28 years of dedicated service to the City of Salisbury be cast aside and totally disrespected by the Mayor and Police Chief. Police officers are generally a tightly knit group. The respect they have for each other tends to bind them like family. They learn to trust one another with their lives. Somehow the Chief of Police has managed to seperate himself from the rest of the "family" and it appears that the Mayor couldn't care less. I hope the Officers currently employed by the City see how little regard the Mayor and Chief have for them. What message do you think this sends to the troops, Chief? Don't worry Sir, Wicomico County S heriff Lewis managed to attend to pay his respects. I'm not trying to make this a case of Sheriff vs Chief......I'm trying to make the point that if the head of another agency can attend the funeral of a former officer, Webster should have damned sure attended to pay his respects. This is absolutely unexcuseable.
The accomplishments of Capt. Stauffer were many and may have been at the root of Tilghmans and Websters absence. You see, Capt. Stauffer had a Degree in Criminal Justice. He also held a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Education from SU. Additionally, Capt. Stauffer was a graduate of the FBI National Academy hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice - a highly sought after accreditation for law enforcement administrators. I wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Tilghman and Webster didn't attend because they feared being compared to Capt. Stauffer. To those who know and love Capt. Stauffer, Tilghman and Webster will never have what it takes to get their own candles to burn as bright as his - even in death.
Grand Dad
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11 comments:
I agree that it shows lack of respect for the mayor and head of police not to attend the funeral of someone who served the city for 28 years. But what does Mike Lewis have on you that you feel the need to kiss his butt every change you get? Mike is a good Sheriff and has done a good job so far and this has nothing to do with him, because I doubt if he's kissing your butt.
I too, think that it is a disgrace. The Chief has no connection to this community. He even refuses to live here. He is just one more flying monkey. As for the Mare, she just plain doesn't give a damn.
farm boy
GRAND DAD,I believe Capt.Stauffer if memory serves me that he and a few other men under the late Chief Dykes obtained accreditation for the Salisbury Police Dept.thru the Federal Government major accomplishment during his tenture.That has gone by the wayside. Can you see this chief chasing down a criminal when he cant see an assault happening near him.These people dont give a damn about the SPD.
Did you honestly expect to see either of them present at an honest mans funeral? Do you expect to see either of them where honest people gather?
Get a grip. There is no honor in either of these homosapiens.
Barrie only attends functions where booze is served.
Did occur to any of you to see if either the Mayor or Chief were even in town before you started running your mouths?
anonymous 11:56,
Give Me A Break! They should have been in town, period. You're only born once and you only die once, respectfully.
The Chief once again has clearly show he is NOT a Brother. He's a man that wears a suit with the same yellow tie and does NOT wear a Uniform.
As a matter of fact, I am told the Chief has only worn a Uniform two or three times and one of them was for a Funeral. He should have shown his respect and dropped everything to be there and the same goes for Barrie Tilghman.
Everyone has the right to their opinion and while some do not respect their decision, this will effect BOTH of them come election time. I can assure you, the Chief of Police will go as fast as the Mayor. Watch and see.
is the Mayor running for re-election? The Chief is appointed not elected so the only way he is out is if the Mayor fires him right?
Why cant the salisbury police be combined with the sheriff's office. im sure it would help save money and combine resources for the county and city.
Anon 7:14
I don't kiss anyones ass and I don't need anyone to kiss mine. I used Mike as an example because he was there. If Paul Jackson was there instead, I would have used him as an example. If you had read the letter you would have noticed that it said that it wasn't a Sheriff vs Chief thing - it was a situation where the head law enforcement officer from another agency was present when and Webster wasn't.
I like Mike - he's a personal friend of mine and I think he's doing a great job as well - But don't think that there aren't some things I wish he's do a little differently.
Let us see the absence of the Head of the Police Dept(he has not earned the right to be called Chief)and the Mayor as symbolic of their great dis-respect for all city employees, past or present.
Did the "HOPD" have a legitimate reason for not being there,like he was at Secrets and could not break away? At the very least he should have sent an appropriate letter and had a high ranking officer read it.
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