Retired Chief Deputy Pat Clayton did not want to simply ride off into the sunset after turning in his sheriff’s deputy badge, but he almost ended up jousting with windmills by announcing he intended to run for Columbia County Sheriff.
Thankfully, Clayton’s better judgment prevailed, and he realized his folly and pulled out before the race had begun.
Columbia County does not need a new sheriff. The residents of the county not only respect and admire Clay Whittle and the crack leadership team he has assembled over the years.
Clayton rightfully understood that bluster over Whittle’s long-standing decision not to require his officers to wear body cameras was not going to resonate with voters, and he was most assuredly headed for an embarrassing defeat at the polls.
Unfortunately, Clayton still has the baggage that is the Richard Roundtree administration strapped to him, and we feel that is unfair.
Prior to his retirement, Clayton was second-in-command of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office; but, that was really akin to being second-in-command in Mussolini’s Italy.
Clayton never had any decision making power, and he was often the one forced in front of the television cameras to gamely attempt to explain Roundtree’s disastrous policies.
However, Clayton has a long and distinguished record of service, starting out his policing career on the mean streets of North Charleston, and he has spent decades moving up the ranks and proving his capabilities as a lawman.
We do not feel that Clayton needs to ride off into the sunset. He still has much to give to his community. However, that service is needed in Richmond County and not Columbia County.
Clayton could cement his legacy of being a humble public servant by coming clean with the public about what he witnessed as Roundtree’s chief deputy and put his support behind one of the candidates challenging the incumbent sheriff.
Rather than coming off as a nuisance also-ran, he could be hailed as the hero that helped bring down Nero.
