Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx issues a statement about protests following the George Floyd death

Posted: Tue, Jun 2, 2020 8:46 AM

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx has issued a statement about the events following the death of George Floyd:

"The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office holds the highest value on human life. Honesty, integrity, courage, and justice for all are core values of our office. Anyone who does not possess these core characteristics and values has no place in the law-enforcement profession.

Furthermore, I want to acknowledge that the demonstration in Decorah was carried out with civility and was well within the participants' first amendment, constitutional rights of freedom of speech and right to assemble and protest. Our office supports and protects everyone's rights.

Unfortunately, the rioting and criminal activity we have seen in larger cities around the country are not protests; it is terrorism.

Our office is guided by our Purpose and Leadership Statements in all we do:

Purpose Statement

As the only law enforcement office in the nation elected by the people and for the people to constitutionally serve as the supreme law enforcement authority of Winneshiek County, our purpose and mission are to ensure the safety of the public in a friendly, approachable and ethical manner, while always upholding and protecting the constitutional rights of our citizens.

Leadership Statement
As an office of the people and for the people, the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office will be in constant communication and connection with the people we serve. We will be an office that places the highest value on trust, accountability, hard work and protecting victims on behalf of the people. We will represent and advocate for the people, always keeping their best interests and constitutional rights at the forefront of our service."