Another Candidate for Sheriff Misleads Public About Military Service

 

BAIRD, TX – Controversy continues to overshadow the Callahan County Sheriff’s race as yet another candidate is plagued by false claims on their military service.

According to KTXS, Chief Deputy Rick Jowers, who is running for sheriff, apologized on Monday for “misleading” voters about his military record.

Last Friday, another sheriff’s candidate was involved in a similar scandal. Leroy Foley, an officer with the Clyde Police Department, was placed on administrative leave after the department received allegations Foley had lied about his commendations. The allegations state Foley falsely claimed he had received a Purple Heart and Silver Star. On Monday, Foley voluntarily resigned from the Clyde Police Department. Authorities stated they will continue to investigate the issue and determine if any legal action is required in the future.

In a forum last month in Cross Plains Jowers said “(Leroy Foley) is military like me. We were both Airborne Rangers."

In 2013, President Obama and Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act that made it illegal to make military claims with the intent to obtain money, property or other tangible benefits.

On Monday afternoon, Chief Deputy Jowers released the following statement on Facebook where he admitted to making false claims about his service record but argues that he never attempted to use military career to sway voters.

I have something that I would like to say to the citizens of Callahan County, I deeply and wholeheartedly apologize for misleading you about my military service. I do have discrepancies on my DD 214 from 30 years ago and I’m currently working on correcting those. The problem was this, I had a couple of tragic accidents that happened in my family that caused me to be released from the military a year early. I received an "Other Than Honorable Conditions". I feel that that is no one‘s business but mine and my family's. I’m not a Navy SEAL, a Green Beret, or an Airborne Ranger.

I sincerely and completely apologize for saying that at the forums. I was upset and angry at a certain person, and let my emotions get the best of me. If I have offended any military or citizen I do apologize. I love my country, I love my military, and I love Callahan County.

I am not and have not attempted to use my military service to sway citizens to vote for me. My military service is NOT a part of my platform as I have said many time.

I feel that this is an extremely ugly race and I know that people are tired of seeing ugly things on Facebook. I pray that this will soon be over and we can all get back to our normal lives. I am not perfect and I have made many mistakes and I’ve learned from all of them. Thank you and God bless.

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.

Required

Most Recent Videos

Comments

So he's pretty much a liar. Got it.

"caused me to be released from the military a year early."...polite way of saying kicked out

" I’m not a Navy SEAL, a Green Beret, or an Airborne Ranger."...but yet you stood in front of people and seemingly had no problem making that claim?

" I was upset and angry at a certain person, and let my emotions get the best of me."...so let me toss out this blatant lie like nobody will ever be able to fact check it.

"My military service is NOT a part of my platform as I have said many time."...because you really didn't have a military service.

Speaking as a veteran I hope you never get elected because if you're willing to lie and deceive people that quick you don't deserve the office.

Post a comment to this article here:

X Close