Spotting bears or helping themselves to blueberries?

Even though he is no longer sherff he will still get off

Policeman: a criminal with a spiffy uniform.

It will be interesting to see how Povich sweeps this one under the carpet.

There has to be more to this story. Can't wait.

I don't know Tibbets personally, but I think there's more to this story.

If this story is like the rest written by BDN for Downeast, it is totally blown our of portion and contains several inaccuracies. (Mibridge Melee, Blueberry Raking, etc.) I wish this site would be more balanced and tell the entire story with true facts.

Hmm...

This "family" out at 11pm with two young children to spot bear...does it smell fishy to anyone else?

momto3, where does it in this article say that this family had 2 small children and that they were out at 11 pm?

What I would ask is, how did Tibbetts know this family was there at this point of time and why did he show up with a gun? If he were having problems with this family, he knows the legal procedures.....but I agree. this will probably get swept under the rug.....or Tibbetts will get probation.

wabi tv reported on the time...

I am from here so I know this family.

there's no excuse for a cop or retired cop still doesn't give a right to flash a gun and scare a family from adult to child just think of thier nightmares here we say the cops are ours you can trust them then u get one makes a liar out of u

It wasn’t 11pm, it was 8.30 and we wear looking for bears. One of you got it right, the whole story wasn’t told, and my story will be in wed, thur, paper. If it happen to him I would not be out on bail.

Joe Tibbetts is not a bad man. I believe in his integrity until PROVEN otherwise.

Once again.... good work Donnie Smith.!!!... thank god we dont have Rodney Merritt as sheriff

i really dont have any comments on this story other than the fact of its title. "Ex-sheriff" and "retired state trooper". Now if the guy was an "ex-boat builder", or "ex-carpenter", or "ex-mill worker",the story wouldn't be titled that way. i just think the double standard isnt fair. Whenever theres a cop or ex-cop in trouble people are always yelling "off with his head". But when some dirtbag gets arrested they always put "allegedly" in there. Not sayin the guy didnt do the crime, its just kinda funny how the BDN, and the media in general, always look to crucify cops. If he is guilty, I hope they throw the book at him. Just my two cents.

Of course he will get off. Any cop, whether it be an ex cop or otherwise, seem to get preferential treatment by the Maine court system. And yes, if it were the other way around and the family held a gun on an ex cop, they would not see the light of day for quite some time.

dextah_bub,

Your 4:33 AM post is an excellent observation!

"preferential treatment by the Maine court system."? Now that's a laugh....tell that to the ex-Milo Police Chief. Tell that to the ex-Bangor Police Officer that slashed tires in Bangor. When one is judged by a jury of your peers, "preferential treatment" does not exist.

All you folks screaming about "sweeping it under the rug". Once it's in the paper and on the TV news there is no rug big enough to sweep it under!

If you have an issue with your County Prosecutor, next time he is up for re-election try this novel idea, run someone against him that could beat him!

Scream away at me as I know you will...."all police officers are dirty". "they harassed me", "the harass my kids", "they are all crooks", etc...

Now I have heard all sorts of stories about this man. If he was as bad as you say he was, how did he keep getting re-elected as Sheriff? If the citizens of Washington County voted him in, you have no one to blame but yourselves.

wicked1... are you jealous?

I love reading the comments on stories like this almost more than the articles themselves. A slice of small town Maine life....hahahaha

hopefully mr. tibbetts will get his dues this time. he has hid behind a badge all his life, from the time of being an Old Town police officer, through his years as a state trooper and as the sheriff of washington county. what goes around, comes around. I commend sheriff donnie smith, deputy randy perry and state trooper miles carpenter for an excellent job.

Yeah, here we go again with the cop getting better treatment. That is a joke. A lot of criminals aren't even arrested during the initial investigation. It is often taken to grand jury and they are then indited or if it was almost four days after the incident then they would have been summonsed. Because of who he was, he was arrested. Political Headhunt. The so called victims of this crime aren't exactly pillars of the community. Looking for bears after dark, good one. Also you have the right to protect and defend your property and since there is probably hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of blueberry equipment up there and they were on land that Tibbetts was responsible for he was well within his right. Lastly wicked1 what is a wemen. Tibbetts retired, not forced out get your facts straight.

This THUG will get off no doubt. COPS=THUGS in uniform.

There has to be more to this story. This just doesn't sound right.

Maybe he went "insane"?

Was the gun he used one of the ones that was missing from the sheriffs department?

As per usual JD2008's remarks are dead on the money. He seems to have a knack of getting to the heart of the matter. I observed his comments reference the situation with the police chief in Milo. He was right then and he is right now.. I was a police officer for 20 odd years, and my beleif was always that if as a cop one was caught doing anything illegal, the jeopardy was double the standard. Cops are JUST regular folks tasked with enforcing the laws. Please let the court system do its' work, and the results will be as they should be. If thios man did what is alleged, then in due time he will have to pay for his mistakes as we all do.

this JD2008 is probably an attorney... maybe he should run for district attorney and get some stuff done in Wasington County instead of having to waste his intelligence on getting guilty people a slap on the wrist!

This just doesn't sound right. I've known Joe for years and this is really out of character for him. I'm thinking we're not seeing the full story.

Innocent until tried. Count me as another person who will await "the entire story".

grew up less than mile from tibbetts and went to school with all his kids... i love his boys, good people. there is definately more to the story... this is not the time of year to be riding around the barrens at night, the berry thieves have made that a risky ride for innocent folks looking at scenery... i agree and disagree with alot being said here... i will keep my thoughts to myself, however there has to be more to it. and for all of you thinking the cops will sweep it under the rug, you obviously don't realize or know that the current law enforcement employees and current sheriff and the accused, do not get along so it's very likely he's in real trouble.. .. we'll see i guess...

I think he will get proper treatment.Everyone complains about how they print the article how they write up articles different according who it is.Well yeah they do.You have to understand they are trying to sell papers.If they can sell more papers because how they word things different because there is a distinguished person in trouble they will .The real stories and the real comments and true feelings come out here in the comment section.So read up and tell people how you feel about how unfair they are.So they can sell more papers.If it where you and i i think Bail would have been alot more then it was.lol Bear spotting......thats funny.

ok.....so, some strangers were on his property after dark? maybe I'm confused but that's what it sounds like to me. If I had land with a bunch of equipment on it and some how found out that there were people up there that shouldn't be...I would want to check it out, too. The gun? If there were bear there....I wouldn't go unarmed either.

Maybe he can call Rep. Blanchard from Old Town for advice on how to get away with this. Have you ever noticed how when you're judged by a jury of your peers, they never seem to find fault with what you did? (Check out the story on Blanchard's legislative ethics committee review results here on BDN today). It will be interesting to see what additional facts come out of this case. I don't think anyone is saying he did wrong by arming himself. It's what he did with the gun that's the source of the arrest.

As a former resident of Washington County I am completely embarrassed that this has taken place. If it isn't bad enough that Washington County has the worse reputation in the state, now it leaders are threatening people at gun point. What kind of example is this to set!! Way to go Mr. Tibbetts, I hope you ran into some of your old buddies while in the slammer in Machias. It is an outrage that this person was a representative of Washington County and a law enforcer. It is people like Mr. Tibbetts that help to give Washington County a bad rep., thanks a lot!!! Elected leaders, current and/or retired should set examples to all citizens. Those responsibilities don't end when the term ends.

On 8/19/09 at 11:02 AM, datsme79 wrote: " .... It is people like Mr. Tibbetts that help to give Washington County a bad rep., thanks a lot!!! Elected leaders, current and/or retired should set examples to all citizens. Those responsibilities don't end when the term ends."

datsme79 - I'm guessing by his conduct in this situation, and all the negative comments posted here, that his ethics and moral obligations did in fact end long before his term did.

I think that yoiu would have to live life as a hunter to understand. All of you who think that there is more to this story, well get the facts on channel 2 news tonight and the BDN thursday. Hunters ride the barrens all the time. So get it straight before you judge. The time was not 11 it 830p.m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hello people! You are all so quick to judge.

This crime that Tibbetts commited will not be swept under the rug I guarantee you that. Innocent people will prevail no matter who you are. These people were just out lokking for a bear becuase it is Bear Season!!!!!

I met Joe Tibbetts at the VA heart treatment waiting room in 2004, as he waited with his English brother-in-law (over here on vacation) for some treatment for a heart problem. We had both been hospitalized around the same time. He seemed pleasant, and identified himself as a Vietnam Veteran.

I don't know if he is exhibiting signs of PTSD. I wish him good mental health, as well as good physical health. It sounds like his mental health is suffering a bit.

They say that Bill Clinton became an angry man after his heart problem. And I think that happened to me, also. A heart or other disability can often make us older men in to ANGRY, OLD MEN....LOL...depending upon our personalities.

I really don't know anything, at all, specifically, about this former sheriff of my county, except that I met him under friendly, relaxed circumstances, in a VA Togus hospital waiting room. I guess other people have met him under less than friendly circumstances, him being THE SHERIFF, and all that. And, as is the case with human nature, those who have a grudge against him are probably chuckling over his legal predicament. :) Roger.

dextah_bub I think that it's mostly because officials of the law, ex or not, are to be held at a higher standard than the ex boat builder, the ex carpenter, etc.

I have known and worked with Joe Tibbetts over the 25 years, he was a good State Trooper and County Sheriff. He didn't take alot from people on the wrong side of the law, so it makes me question which side these people were on. Joe has served and protected this county and Country for many years, and he deserves to be innocent unitl proven guilty. The Joe I known would not harm any person intentionally. Officers or Ex-officers are not above the law, just be fair and wait until all sides of the story come out. Thinking of Joe.

As said before, the whole story will come out eventually. This case was handled differently due to political reasons. Apparently Sheriff Smith was very agitated that the former Sheriff was not arrested that night. Maybe that was because the the Officers involved felt that he had a valid reason for approaching a vehicle at night, on the blueberry barrens, on a dead end road leading to where his equipment was at the time. Mr. Tibbetts acted how he was trained as a Law Enforcement Officer. He approached an unknown car, that was in his mind acting suspiciously, alone. He had every right to be armed, as well as every right to ask them why they were there. Do you think an Officer would have just strolled up to the car? Did they not see all the signs they had to pass when entering the barrens posted by Cherryfield Foods indicating that it was private property? Both the "victims" in this case are very aware that blueberries are actively being harvested right now, and driving around after dark in the area is not the smartest thing to do. This was handled correctly the night it happened. Everyone involved said what happened, and it was turned over to the District Attorneys office. Thats where it should have stayed. Instead Sheriff Smith decided he wanted Joe Tibbetts arrested, and fired off his email to DA Povich. In my opinion the correct thing to do would have been to turn it over to another agency, either the State Police or the AG's Office, then there would be no chance for anyone to scream foul play or unfair treatment. It will all come out in the wash eventually, but I doubt Sheriff Smith will run to the news when things dont go his way.

washcnty said it best!

These people shouldn't have been on POSTED property . I would think Mr. Tibbets thought they were up to 'No Good '. Eiither stealing berries or some of the equipment. It would be foolish to approach them alone without a weapon in that instance. It would have been better for him and everyone if an active police officer approced them. Seems men think---Once a policeman, always a policeman.

I don't fault the Bangor Daily News here, they must sell papers to keep afloat these days and this sort of media sells...but there is a rat in the woodpile and the truth will come out. This would not have happened in any other county "I know this for a fact". The current Sheriff should not have taken action and should have let his Deputies run there case and kept his personell agenda out of it. Donny, you know the credibity of your "victim" and you also know someday she will be back to work for you. In the end it would have been better for the citizens of Washington County to have handled this case as any other. I say "Tibbetts for Sheriff 2010!!"

If I caught people on my land stealing blueberrys at that time of night ,I would have a gun on me to! This is just a case of the new regime againt the old regime.

This should be very interesting when all is said and done.

Who's land was it? Was he looking out for his property? Was the land posted?

Has there been other issues involving either party?

Too many unknowns to judge yet

From what I have heard the "victim" will not be coming back to work at Washington County, she is currently under suspension from the jail.

I do believe I would wait until the whole story is told, people like to bash cops and ex-cops. I do not really care for them my self but I think you will find out some interesting information. (wink wink)

why is the ex sheriff out on the barrens in the middle of the night with a gun?

With 2,000 people on the barrens,bears are scarce.More than likely the place was being scouted for later at night

this all needs to be checked out more.Perhaps they should check out the guy the gun was pointed at.

P.S. it is not bear season yet.Illegal hunting.Probably not.A real hunter would know the seasons

what time is sunrise and sunset here in washington county??hummmm....hunting bear out of season and after legal hunting hours.Maybe these folk arent real hunters or they are hunting different game!!

Was Tibbetts under threat of bodily harm?

Is a box or two of berries worth risking not only his life but that of others?

If the barrens are off limits to drive on the roads, then maybe there should be large signs saying tresspassers are subject to being shot.

I'm sure that a couple and their children wouldn't be on the barrens if this situation ever entered their mind.

From what I witnessed on the news tonight, I would say that the couple did the correct thing in asking for a protection order. If it were my children, I would do the same.

As for bear season, I know several licensed guides who are out baiting for bear at this very time. It is NOT illegal to go spotting bear at any time of the year.

the barrens are posted

Are they posted that trespassers are under threat of being shot??

a protection order is needed but not against joe.hopefully more facts will emerge

posted land is posted land

"Former" Sheriff, "Retired" State Trooper and "Former state representative all mean "Civilian". They also mean he should have known better!

your right maineoutlaw2000...more facts will emerge and the whole story will come out. If I were Joe I wouldn't be worried to much. Donnie got what he wanted with some quik press. If you ask me Washington County just wasted my tax dollars and it should come out of the sheriff's wages. Like many stories with high profile persons alot of our money is spent that should not have been. Look at the case on Matinicus island...one man shot one man shot at, the shooters daughter was there with a loaded shotgun pointing it at the man that got shot...was she arrested...NO..why....she was defending her property.....well not her property, the property of another that she was responsible for.....sound familiar??

"civilians" have the right to bear arms....If your a responsible person for a piece of property and it is being trespassed upon you as a private citizen do have the right to take action

all that are reading these comments should also know why the "victim" is currently suspended from the Sheriff's Office and her credibility...maybe that would shed some light on this situation!!haha

I've known Donnie Smith for a long time and i think he is one of the fairest sheriffs that Washington County Has ever had and also I think Donnie and his men are doing one terrific job. and has my vote for reelection

PS. What Was the family doing out that time of night any way and i don't blame Joe at all He was being better safe then sorry

I can't wait for the whole story to come out!! Joey was protecting personal property. He was in a camper on that land. The vehicle pulled up and he didn't recognize it. Came out with a gun to see what was going on and had it for his protection. The story also doesn't state that when he was Sheriff of Washington County that Melinda(the woman in the vehicle) use to work for him. I believe she still works for Donnie now. I don't know why they thought they might see some bears...with all those harvesters running 24/7, the bears aren't going to be out wandering around those machines. There has been problems in the past with people stealing berries at night, vandalizing some of the equipment, stealing irrigation equipment. I believe that Donnie has been out to get Joey since he took office and that is not fair.

A favorite past time of mine was spotting deer of blueberry fields........when it was legal. Never ever recall seeing bears

Since when is it illegal for families to be out in a vehicle at 8:30 PM?

If you post your property does that give you the right to shove a gun in someones face?

What is this country comming to?

The news stated that there was two young children in the back seat of the vehicle. Does that look like someone out to steal your equipment?

How about we post Washington County with signs recomending that the public is only welcome to stay on te paved public roads? That ought to solve the problem.

patom1..good solution to the problem..lets all post are land so those that don't belong will stay on the paved roads...thats the best thing I've heard you say yet!!haha And yes it is illegal to be out in your car at 830 at night when your trespassing...and remember it was 830 and how was Joe to know there were children in the car?? think before you write

OH NO!!! It's illegal to be in your car at 8:30 at night!! Quick, everyone, get off the roads!! And kids can't be in your car at 8:30 either....kick them out....just tell them not to trespass because THAT IS ILLEGAL!! It's illegal to trespass whether you are in a car, truck, bus or on foot.

Hey, Glock....think before you write!

haha..you got me laughing, its people like you that keep people like me employed!!LOL Have a good night, its past 830 and I should be in bed....

You get paid to laugh?? COOL!!

In response to most of you.....and Iseenow.....Having a gun on you and pointing one at someone and threatening to kill them are two different scenarios.....Helllooo....This was not posted land.....!

In response to maineoutlaw, we were not hunting anything, we were scouting to prepare for baiting bear. get your facts straight. how would you like a gun pointed at your head with your children or grandchildren in the car? hummmmmmmmm

As far as not seeing bear people...ask the lady that was pulled over looking for the bear that had just run out in front of her before the victims entered the barren roads...there are bear out ther dont youi watch the news? It was platered all over the news to keep your garbage bins closed becuase of the increase of bears.

Is there someone out there bragging about the female victim being under suspension? Talk is talk get over it. you are not involved directley then shutup

If Tibbetts would run again I would vote for him.

ya..the woman that saw the "bear" maybe she should be found and spoke to....lets see how close she was to where the "victims" were when this incident occoured. Were the "incident" took place is out in the middle of nomans land, I'm sure this female that had susposedly seen a bear was not with in three rows of @@@hole to were it was....if its even true. Sounds to me the the "victims" are getting a little frustrated that people might find out what there all about....the only smart one here is Joe who would not comment on it cause he knows better than to waste time/money on this bs!!haha

This is the classic case of dont believe everything you read and only half of what you hear. Joey has given his life for law inforcement and there has to be more to this story!! He has aways been easy going and fair, so I would like to hear his side now that this has been blown all out of proportion. I feel really bad for him.

Its too bad the real story isn't here for us all to read. Tibbetts is a good man. Hang in there, the truth will come out in court. I hope the paper reports on that too, to clear your name.

Wow, so the drama keeps going in downeast maine! For anyone who knows Joe knows he is a kind guy, that wouldnt just do something like this. If this girl in the picture up above in this article was so scared as it said in the paper "Her fingers gripping the edge of the kitchen table, recounted one of the most frightening incidents of her life' would she have such a wonderful smerk on her face? if this was such a serious thing they would of arrested him on the friggin spot! 8:30 at night on and around the blueberry fields this time of year people know your not allowed on them unless going usually to your camps, Not spotting "animals" as they remarked. Equipment was there, and so were berries in boxes any guard on the fields would have reacted also. No guns were shot, nooone was killed! And do "merritt" and "church" know how to tell the truth, were they looking for bear? or coyotes? or trin to steal berries?cause the paper one day was bear the next coyotes? wtf huh? trin to save asses here. Im not taken sides but everyone knows "tibbetts" and not once has ANYONE had a problem with him! And if you dont know him, dont come on here running mouths when he hasnt told his part of the story and your just on here babbling about what there saying which stories keep changing! I hope for the best for "tibbetts"! We believe in JOE TIBBETTS!

is it not true that you are not supposed to be riding the roads on the barrens without permission from the companies? there is a reason for that. they not only have berries stolen, their equipment is vandalized. and then there are four wheelers riding on the fields destroying the bushes.. if you're not familiar wiith life out here during the harvest season you shouldn't be making judgements. there are thousands of extra people in the area and thousands of problems. you don't always hear about the fights, stabbings, rapes,etc. that go on every year. maybe you did hear about two murders that happened a few years ago. they were sensational enough to make the papers. the people who used to work at the old radar site were told to travel in groups and not to travel alone during the harvest season. there was a reason for that advice. the majority of the rakers are really good people who are here to earn money. and then you have the trouble makers. and then you have the locals who steal and vandalize while the migrants are here so they will get the blame!!!!

I can totally see having a gun on you while inspecting one of your fields, but to point it at someone's head...with kids in the car?? Glad to hear he was at least arrested, former police officer or not...it wasn't right.

i think that deputy perrry and state trooper carpenter were quite capable of investigatiing this incident without any help from the sheriff. they were following proceedure and going through the proper channels. just because it happened in washington county does not mean the sheriff is in charge. why couldn't he stand back and let the state police hangle this hot potato instead of allegedly sending and e-mail to the district attorney (which "accidently" found it's way to the media? judge romei was wide to recuse himself and let another judge handle it. i think we have the right to expect the same behavior from the sheriff. e-mailing the district attorney, threatening to go to the attorney general and running to the media to make a point instead of letting the officers do their jobs, looks like a vote of "no confidence" in these officers.

i did not mean to say that judge romei was "wide", rather he was wise. in fact very wise!!

tesseract2, Judge Romei was truley wise to recuse himself as he has his own skeletons. Cant have someone poking around his closet and digging up bones. lol Let someone else take the heat. Right??

I have known Joe Tibbetts since the 70,s. He has always been a good state trooper fair and just. He is a prudent and reasonable man. I have never heard of any thing bad said of him. You see Cessna I know the whole story of not only what happened there but there is more to it on your side than looking for bears or was it for equipment and you disliking someone else. Maybe it is political. Can't wait to see your story probably will be similar to the big one that got away. Te BDN is always quick and fast in their wording to make someone look bad especially an ex officer. His sidearm was never taken out of the holster. Bet you didn't see me looking for bears also. Takes somebody awfull brave to have her youngs kids out at night looking for bears.

do you have any idea what a bear can do if you get inbetween their kids? There is much more to this than just what we are being told. Yes you are right it will all come out in court if not on the paper. Just maybe Joe Tibbetts saved your life.

I see a bunch of comments are missing from yesterday, someone a little thin skinned?

Goes from 7:52 am to 3:31 pm..

I know that a bunch of you arm chair detectives had something to say between them times..

I don't know what happened up there on the barrens, but I DO KNOW that Joe Tibbetts is salt of the earth. He is community-oriented with a heart for serving. He is caring, compassionate, LEVEL-HEADED, not given to grudges, LAW ABIDING!!!!!! He ranks right up there with my Dad, Gerald L. Grant (deceased). Our system says a person who is charged and arrestede is INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY. Our family supports Joe, and his wife Sharon, and our prayers are with them during this difficult time.

If they don't want people on the land then they need to post it. If not posted they were in they're lagally.

pipppin: i have my own issues with judge romei, but at least he had the good sense to stay out of this mess. the losing party could have screamed bias. now that issue is off the table.

people who don't have a good court case often try their case in the media. when they lose, that still leaves the opportunity for filing a civil suit. hopefully, that will give the defense the opportunity to bring up past behavior and past criminal activity. (unless trashing the little river church as a teenager is buried in juvenile records).as far as the kids being traumaized, there are already problems there which school records would show. nobody is going to come out of this situation smelling like a rose. it's too bad that the kids will once again have to suffer for the actions of their parent.

May I remind all of you that Joe was not summonsed that night instead Sgt Perry took a statement from him and was ordered not to arrest him by the DA. It was not until Monday, four days later, that Joe was arrested. He was bailed on an unsecured bail. I believe this to be favorism. I know for a fact lesser crimes have had greater bails and there were no conditions on his bail that would protect the victims. The bail commissioner himself is a reitred police officer and waived his fee for the beloved Tibbetts. How fair is that? Downing the victims becuase they are not pillars of the community...FU! What about the children? I am defending them! Pillars of the community yourselves,

monto3

where did you hear 11pm? what is wrong with spotting bear? Is it illegal?

monto3

Are youi aquainted witth pillars of the communiity?

irenem

There is no excuse for any civilian to wave a gun in an innocent families face while in their vehicle on a public road!!! You are right and he not only did it for split second to protect himself but even after he knew he was not in dange and he victims were of no threat to him.

ataloss

Where is it posted that it is illegal to ride the barrens during blueberry season? I also didnt think it was illegal to SPOT BEAR.

pattyross53

I feel bad for Joe and his family as well. He has become a very sick man and that has to be disturbing. I also feel bad for the victims, especially the children. They have to be having a terrible time with this. I jsut hope that there are not sick people out there using this situation to turn it around and use the children as an excuset to get out their frutrations with the mother and boyfriend. That would be a shame in a court of law. Maineoutlaw you know what I am talking about dont you? Lets make sure what we write here does hurt the defenselss children. The victims were not a threat and were not scouting for berries as some of you believe. Let the children be in this and not influence them becuase that would be cruel and ILLEGAL

indian1975: It was reported on the NEWS that the 911 call was at 10:45 PM, JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT EVERYTHING YOU HEAR ON THE NEWS IS NOT TRUE :)

indian1975: as for the other question you ask...what? I couldnt understand your typing, sorry.

maybe someone in the "victims" car couldnt read the big yellow signs!!

as far as "baitin" bear.merritt dont dare get far enough away from the kids he uses for protection

I see all the comments on here but not anything about how our fine deputies DID thier JOBS. If joe was still Sherriff and another cop did something, he would have and his deputies would have done nothing. If you did, you would have been the black sheep. With the new sherriff Smith in charnge, it seems integrity is a must. GREAT JOB SGT. RANDY PERRY!!! You put your ethics first and didn't fall into the good ole boy patch. I did hear that someone tried to get you to not arrest him....good for you!!! You are the police officer that I dont mind paying taxes for!! Maybe the victims will take polygraphs...maybe Joe will?

There are reports in the media about law enforcement officials and prison gaurds commiting crimes on a regular basis. Yet, these officials words are always written in stone when up against a private citizen dealing with a varity of legal issues. Abuse occured at the WCJ during this mans term and nothing was done about it. I am a strong belieaver in carmer and will be watching. If found "quilty" he will get what he deserves. Abuse of powers will not be tolerated!! There should be phycological testing for individuals who hold public positions.

monto3

yes as you contradicted yourself....you cant believe all you hear on the news. so where did you hear it was 1045 again? :):)

indian1975/cessna/melina: I dont have to worry about contradicting myself dear, you do :)

I know its crazy that anyone would believe things reported on the news.

Indian 1975....there are very few sections of the roads on the barrens that are public roads...once you go past the columbia town line they are private roads, and the one around the radar site is technically U.S. govt. and would have restrictions on it if the base was still active. IF as has been stated here you previously worked security on the barrens then you know darn well those are private roads. Just because everybody and their brother uses them does not make them public.

Give fatty the chair !!!!! LMAO

Not that I want to stick up for someone I didn't get along with But as for right now its just a one sided story. There are always two sides to a story. I'm sure if Tibbetts knew there were children in that car he wouldn't have pointed the gun. It was of his own property he has to protect. I am sure all of you would do the same if you were in his situtaion. How was he to know that the people in the car weren't armed? He was to protect himself somehow. I'm sure if he was going to shoot he would have, the gun was just for protection. As we all know blueberry thefts do come out this time of year, not only that people don't have respect for others property. I'm sure the last thing that would have gone through his mind is random people driving around tryin to spot wildlife! This isn't the best time of year to do so. If this was true sorry the children had to go through this. Actually either way its a shame. I bet the law system will never find out the whole truth cause there is no one else out there besides the two parties that knows exactly what happened. But I really suggest background checks should come into consideration as well. ;) Everyone has the right to protect their property. And for living in downeast we all know that most of the barrens are all posted as private property. I don't see how anyone will win this in court. Chances are this will be thrown out. But hey at least they got there two minutes (or less) of fame on t.v. =]

Boohoo is all I have to say. This "family" is on someone else's property, and they are crying because the owner of the property was protecting it?

Sounds to me as if this former employee must have been disciplined and this is retaliation.

Threat of deadly force must be in proportion to the threat....he is no longer a law enforcement officer....he is a private citizen....he was not making a felony stop....he chased people (a man, a woman and two children)....held them at gun point.....threatened deadly force....how many of you, would sing a different story if you were staring down the barrel of a firearm?

There's two side's to every story people shouldnt be so quick to judge if I found someone on my land ,considering the circumstances,a gun would be in thier face to.We are only human full of fault's and imperfection's and to be judged by your past really stink's I know the feeling.Let the court's worry about who's to blame and with all this publicity it will be hard for any crooked stuff to accure.

a family cant go for a ride anymore without someone threating them????????? what is washington county coming to ???????????the kids haft to live with FEAR all the time that is really sad.... i dont dare to take my family on blueberry barrens now. its two bad becouse it was a good place to take your family on a drive or go hunting but not now.ITS NOT RIGHT.if i was the family that this happend to i would fight it he shouldnt get away with this ex-sheriff

or not if anything he should get in more trouble becouse he nows all the laws.all i gotta say is miss church keep fighting this no family should haft to live in fear...Where is it posted that it is illegal to ride the barrens during blueberry season?

NO ONES KIDS SHOULD HAFT TO LIVE IN FEAR

your telling me that u cant ride on the blue berry barrins with out some one taking and showing a gun in your face and blocking u in that is realo bad them poor kids will live with that all there lifes put your self in there place i hope they fight all of it being fired that place needs to be looked in too did it to and other girl too what kind of place is washington county any ways miss church fight it he should of knowen better being a x sherife he needs to be punished more big time hope he dont get a way with this one i will help they family if i can every one please think hard bout this them poor kids gee lots of people there should be check out mm

the lady there was after miss church a lot mr tibbest wife

think about this people lets try to help that family i feel so sorry for them mostly the kids ty

wow, I "HAVE TO" to take some advil now...and stop reading BDN comment section.

joe u should be punished x sherife come on u saw them kids u used a flash light and had the gun u saw the kids that was real real bad hope they fight it dont u have a heart kids was there u could of called 911 got help if u thought some thing was wrong u know them and they peabodys good u not nice i feel for them poor kids take what u got comming hope itr is jail if it was me i would fight u with all i have

i know this family im from round here nice family kids so sweet good family did not need this washington county im a shame of u big time hope u all getr whats comming your way think a bout this please kids how would u like your kids seeing that yes joe hope they get u real good and your wife she trouble too

Nope, im not joe...just some poor stupid person looking at the bdn comment section. wow holy runon...my head hurts!

Never realized Washington County was south of the Mason Dixon Line.........

where mason dixon line???????

The Mason-Dixon Line (or "Mason and Dixon's Line") was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (then part of Virginia). In popular usage, especially since the Missouri Compromise of 1820 (apparently the first official use of the term "Mason's and Dixon's Line"), the Mason-Dixon Line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the Northern United States and the Southern United States (Dixie).

Deah,very impressive!

Thank you, it's complements of 2 amazing inventions: Google and Wilipedia 8)

oops, Wikipedia

Sorry, I think reading some of the postings is having a negative impact on my intellect 8)

lmao.figured as much.sounded good though!

Want to take a ride in my car the "General Lee" sometime?

Only if we get to out run Cleetus

sorry, Rosco.....these comments are make me stupid

For your birthday I will get you a rhinestone studded turnip peeler.

And I'll be getting you a beer can windchime.

If you really love me you would get the deluxe model.16 oz.Pabst Blue Ribbon Windchime.

Of coarse, with a Bud 40 oz clanger

thanks!