By Lauren LaFleur
assistanteditor@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Apologies have been made in this week’s e-mail dispute between two Cherokee County law enforcement agencies.
Jacksonville City Attorney Joe Angle and Robert Davis, an attorney representing Cherokee County, released a joint statement Friday that said the situation was resolved.
“Everyone is putting this matter behind them,” according to the statement. “(Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department Capt.) Chris White has apologized to (Jacksonville) Chief (of Police Reece) Daniel for sending the e-mail which precipitated this controversy, which apology has been accepted.
“Chief Daniel has apologized for any statement, on his part, which would have led the public to believe Jacksonville Police Department would not cooperate with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department.”
The joint statement was quickly followed by Daniel’s own e-mailed statement.
“I intend to contact the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) and formally withdraw my complaint against Deputy Chris White,” Daniel said in his e-mail. “I also intend to forego any further remedies in either civil or criminal court as I am satisfied with his apology and I accept it. It took courage for him to do so.”
Daniel also said in the statement he will leave any further action against White, a captain with the sheriff’s department, to Sheriff James Campbell.
“Sheriff Campbell is a man of great integrity and ethical standards, and I will leave any proposed disciplinary measures entirely to him,” Daniel said.
Campbell could not be reached to comment on any discipline White may receive for sending an anonymous e-mail Dec. 8 alleging Daniel was being forced to resign as part of a settlement in a sexual harassment suit brought by five city employees.
White is still an employee of the sheriff’s department, however, and said Friday he intends to live up to his apology.
“I am aware of what the statement said, and my intentions and heart are behind that,” White said.
Daniel’s e-mailed response to the allegations against him, in which he said the Jacksonville Police Department would not cooperate with any sheriff’s department investigations or enforcement matters, brought no discipline for Daniel, either.
“No action is being taken at this time,” said Jacksonville City Manager Mo Raissi Friday afternoon.
Jacksonville Mayor Robert Haberle said the situation came to a swift and satisfying end because of the leaders of each entity involved.
“I personally would like to commend Raissi, and his steadfast leadership, and Sheriff Campbell, and his wisdom, in these matters,” Haberle said Friday. “It looks like everyone can resume business as usual thanks to the strong leadership we have.
“The citizens can rest at ease that their safety is not at jeopardy, not that it ever was, because this matter has been resolved.”
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