New sheriff fires deputies
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: December 28, 2012
When Little River County Sheriff, Danny Russell, first heard that nine of his elite officers were being let go, he didn't know what to say.
"These guys mean a lot to me and I can't believe what sorry he has done," said Russell. "To replace veteran officers with people that don't even know the county and that don't know anything, it just ticks me off is what it does."
Seven deputies, one transport deputy, and a dispatcher who's been working at the station for more than 17 years, will be jobless come December 31st at midnight.
"He gave them letters that thanks them for their application, but the review board decided not to keep them."
Russell doesn't know why his staff is being fired, but doesn't agree with it.
"They're just like family to me and he's walked in here with no explanation, no nothing and is just kicking them to the curb."
And after choosing retirement instead of re-election, the one person Russell blames is himself.
"If I would have known and saw all this coming, yes I would've run again. If I could give him any piece of advice, it sure as heck wouldn't have been to walk in here and just get rid of people."
