SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – There was standing room only at the Spartanburg County Council meeting Monday evening, and county residents had plenty to say about recent comments made by Sheriff Chuck Wright.
The Spartanburg County Council meeting was heated. The following are quotes that were made during Monday’s night’s public comment at the meeting.
“We will ask that you, at some point in time, make it right,” a community member said.
“I’m just a black man in America, trying to survive, trying to make it, trying to live, but I don’t know if I can live under Chuck Wright,” another community member added.
“Don’t break the law, you don’t see an officer,” a third community member said.
This all stems from words Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright used last week.
“For some reason they want to pick on what I say and not what these two men did. I’m going to go ahead and always tell the truth. I’m going to help everyone in the community no matter what they look like,” Sheriff Chuck Wright said.
The comments concerned two men accused of firing off rounds at deputies. Sheriff Wright commented, calling the men involved “idiots.” He added his deputies would have been within their rights to shoot the men.
“I started a petition for people to sign, and this is for a formal apology from Chuck Wright,” a Spartanburg County resident said during Monday night’s county council meeting.
Some are now demanding an apology. Tamika Thompson is asking for an investigation into the entire department.
“If he thinks this way, there’s probably people under him that feel the same,” Spartanburg County resident Tamika Thompson said.
On top of the disapproval, there was a show of support from a handful of county residents. The following comments were also made during Monday’s meeting from area residents.
“We appreciate what he does for Spartanburg, and we consider him very much to be a fair and honest person,” a community member said at the meeting.
“I’ve known Chuck for 30 years plus, he is a Christian man who is dedicated and sworn to protect every one of us.”
Sheriff Wright is staying firm in his stance, he told 7 News no apology is needed.
“I had a pure heart when I said that,” Wright said.
Council members addressed his remarks, urging him to be mindful of his words and how they represent the county as a whole.
“The ‘cowboyism’ was not necessary, and I’m thankful that again there was another party, another step in our legal process, meaning our solicitor’s office, that ultimately alleviated what these gentlemen were facing,” Spartanburg County Chairman Michael Brown said.
You can find previous stories we have done around this case and Sheriff Wright’s comments here: