MENU
SECTIONS
OTHER
CLASSIFIEDS
CONTACT US / FAQ
Advertisement

Local deputy fired for Facebook posts

Local deputy fired for Facebook posts

Black Lives Matter in comments

A Lucas County sheriff’s deputy has been fired after making what were termed inappropriate Facebook posts that referred to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Deputy Thomas Hillabrand, 57, a 19-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was terminated from his position Wednesday. 

The office’s internal affairs investigators determined Deputy Hillabrand on July 23 wrote an inappropriate post about his trip to a Toledo Taco Bell drive-thru window.

Advertisement

The post said a black employee and a co-worker inside the restaurant made a vulgar comment about police, yelled “Black lives matter,” and laughed at him. The deputy was in uniform at the time.

“I guess we’ll see if they’re still laughing after I call their corporate office Monday and unload on someone. Not only were they completely disrespectful to law enforcement but that’s absolutely no way to treat a cash-paying customer that is supporting the place where they work!” according to the post.

He encouraged fellow officers not to visit the business, 2234 W. Alexis Rd., during shifts.

In reply to a commenter who said she would be enraged and was surprised he did not reach through the window, Deputy Hillabrand wrote, “Couldn't reach em, in the pre-camera days you know what would a happened!”

Advertisement

A separate July 14 post investigated by internal affairs made reference to a way to clear highways of “BLM,” or Black Lives Matter members, with an image of a driver called “the traffic buster.” Deputy Hillabrand identified himself on his Facebook account as an employee of the sheriff’s office.

A sheriff’s office review board sustained four administrative charges against the deputy, including making racial and sexual remarks and/​or harassment and conduct unbecoming an employee of the office. Office policies forbid employees making racial comments that offend colleagues, inmates, and the public.

Sheriff John Tharp said he could not speak about the deputy’s intent, but said on the surface the comments appear racist and threatening. The postings are unacceptable either way, he said.

“We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard, and each other to a higher standard, which many, many officers do,” Sheriff Tharp said.

Detective Rob Sarahman of the internal affairs bureau said Deputy Hillabrand was on duty when he made one of the postings, and that the deputy admitted he wrote the messages.

“His conduct and actions were outside the policies and procedures of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office,” the detective said.

Pat Mangold, president of UAW Local 3056, the union which represents deputies, did not return a call for comment. Deputy Hillabrand could not be reached for comment. A Taco Bell employee directed questions to a corporate spokesman.

Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.

First Published August 19, 2016, 4:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
We value your comments and civil discourse. Click here to review our Commenting Guidelines.
Must Read
Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
Pittsburgh skyline silhouette
TOP
Email a Story