VINCENT, Ala. – A racist text message sent by a police officer led officials in a small Alabama town to disband their police department and fire the sheriff and assistant chief.
Mayor Vincent James Latimore on Thursday confirmed that Sheriff James Srygley and Assistant Sheriff John L. Goss have been fired, al.com reported.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on Friday condemned the actions of the two officers and said it will stand with the city “in providing emergency law enforcement services involving citizens (by Vincent ) in this moment.”
In a recent message that appeared on social media, a person identified as “752” read: “What do you call pregnant slaves?”
“752 answer: “BOGO Buy one, get one free”
“This has divided this community. It doesn’t matter what color we are as long as we do the right thing for everyone,” City Councilor Corey Abrams said at Thursday’s council meeting.
On Tuesday, Latimore said “appropriate action has been taken” against the officer who allegedly sent the text, though at the time he did not name the person or anyone involved.
The city’s website lists three people in its department: Srygley, Goss, and Officer Lee Carden.
During the board meeting, Latimore announced he had suspended the chief and assistant chief, and that the board had voted to terminate the agency. Latimer said Carden resigned via text message just hours after the city council voted to dissolve the department.
Located in central Alabama, southeast of Birmingham, Vincent has a population of just under 2,000. It is located in Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega.
