In his letter Sheriff Palmer questioned the USFS's authority to engage in law enforcement within Grant county, declaring:
"your jurisdiction as I see it is limited to the Federal Building in John Day" [the county seat]; and that the presence of USFS "Law Enforcement" violates Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution."
“Within the confines of Grant County, Oregon, the duties and responsibility of law enforcement will rest with the County Sheriff and his designees,” he wrote.
Palmer’s letter was apparently prompted by Forest Service attempts to pressure him into signing a "co-operative policing agreement" that would allow the agency to engage in law enforcement activities inside the lines of Grant County.
Drawing the Line
Sheriffs Gilbertson and Palmer have crossed personal Rubicons to join a growing cadre of sheriffs in western states who are drawing the line against federal agencies like the Forest Service.
For instance, Sheriff Greg Hagwood, of Plumas County in northern California, has publicly stated he will not enforce federal regulations laid down by the Forest Service that demand road closures and restrict vehicle access to the land.
Asked if he agreed with Hagwood, Gilbertson said he was not familiar with Hagwood’s action, but agreed with him and pointed to the famous case of Prinz v. United States (1997).
“The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government cannot force us [local law enforcement] to enforce federal regs, rules or laws,” he said. “They can’t force sheriffs to do that. The sheriff is the highest law enforcement official for that county. My understanding is that there is no other authority that supersedes the sheriff’s office for that county.”
NOTE: The freedom of tyranny of everyone living in the US will come from those wearing uniforms. This man, and the growing numbers in the West, deserve full support. They are tackling the monster.
One good Sheriff at a time. We have a great one in Klickitat County, Wa.
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