In this video, Sheriff Tim Helder has some strong words to say about Jessie Lunderby’s recent art project.  Sheriff Helder sounds pretty serious about conducting a thorough investigation.  He clearly feels that the incident is an embarrassment to the department.

In order to put this into perspective, recall that two years ago, local incompetence led to Adriana Torres-Flores spending four days in a holding cell down at the Washington County courthouse.  She had no food, no water, and no toilet.  She drank her own urine in order to survive.  What was the result of that incident, you ask?

Was it an embarrassment to the law enforcement of the region?  Just Google Adrian Torres-Flores.  The national media had a heyday with the story, and it added to the perception that southerners don’t treat everyone equally.  Helder and Hunton were even publicly chastised by officials within the Mexican government.

How did Helder respond to the near death caused by the inexcusable negligence of one of his employees?  Well, he made some excuses for him, saying that the bailiff was simply busy and had forgot.  Judge Hunton also avoided saying much that was critical, offering that “The best thing that we can do is to make sure it doesn’t happen to anybody else.”

Ultimately bailiff Jarrod Hankins received a 30-day suspension without pay.  In his own words to local media 40/29, Helder articulated his forgive and forget philosophy:

“I realize some people may have expected Hankins to be terminated, however my philosophy is if an employee makes a mistake while trying their best to perform their duties I will try to salvage them,” Helder said.

It’s already been interesting to see how differently the Sheriff’s department has reacted to Jessie Lunderby’s art project.  The official punishment is expected to be handed down early this week.  I wonder how her punishment will compare to the one given to the guy who nearly killed a woman and caused an international incident.

UPDATE: The Northwest Arkansas TImes had an editorial on Saturday with a simliar (too similar?) take.  See here.