David Russell, who is running for Sheriff of Grayson County resigned his duties last week from the Sheriff’s Department. Today, he made the following statement to his Facebook page about his decision to resign.
“I hope that all had a blessed Christmas and joyous New Year celebration. This holiday season is the time of year for us to step back reflect on the blessings received, as well as feel the excitement and eagerness for the new year to come. Much has happened for my campaign during this holiday season, and now that the Christmas lights and the eight tiny reindeer are back in the attic, I am focusing 100% of my time towards my campaign for the critical position of Grayson County Sheriff. As many of you know, on December 30th I resigned from the Grayson County Sheriffs Department, an institution that I hold in high esteem. While I was planning on taking a leave of absence at the turn of the new year to focus on my campaign, this plan was put on a fast track due to a heated disagreement over personal matters between myself and a close colleague of mine. It is important to note that disagreement took place while we both were taking vacation time and not performing any duty as employees of Grayson County. I was concerned this incident, although short and quickly rectified, would cast the Grayson County Sheriffs department in a negative light if there was ever to be an investigation into the matter. I made the decision to spare the department I have dedicated almost 13 years of my life to any negative light, especially due to a matter that was between two close friends and colleagues that had been resolved as quickly as it occurred. While looking at this incident by itself, it may seem rash behavior to just pack up and resign. It is essential to note that other factors preceded this incident such as a fellow deputy and supporter of another candidate for Sheriff shadowing my every move with their camera waiting to try to catch me in the act of campaigning while on duty, unsuccessfully I might add. The actions of this deputy helped kick my decision to resign into overdrive. I felt strongly that if my presence in the department as a candidate for the position of Sheriff was going to cause an ounce of distraction from the duty of the department to protect the people of Grayson County, then it was my obligation to step aside for the time being. I cannot stress how difficult of a decision this was to make, but I am convicted that it was the right thing to do for the people of Grayson County. As a lifelong servant of the public, I have always held the welfare of the people I have sworn to protect above my own. It is what I have always done, and as Sheriff of Grayson County this is what I will continue to do. I sincerely look forward to your continued support as we the people enjoy the freedom to exercise our rights to elect the best individuals to public position. May God bless Texas!”
