Can anyone give me one example of a Newly Elected Sheriff keeping a fellow candidate on at the department after the election? I can't think of one. When our beloved Randall Johnson became Sheriff for the 1st time, he ran against the Chief Deputy Ed Lynch. Deputy Lynch was well loved and a well liked member of that department and most were very shocked when Randall won. Now I don't know if Randall had to tell him to leave or not, but I am pretty sure he didn't. Deputy Lynch had a plan for if he lost. He became the Chief of Police in Fayetteville. Barry Babb should have had a PLAN if defeated. He knew the odds and he has been around long enough to know what would most likely happen. Either Barry didn't have a Plan or Barry didn't have a Good Plan. I know Barry said that he would have kept Wayne Hannah on at the department if he had won, and I would be willing to bet that he would have kept his word. It would have been Barrys worst mistake had he of won. Barry should be thankful that he has a JOB. A lot of people don't. I think by letting Barry and that other one in the Warrant section keep their jobs, Wayne has shown them more kindness than they would have gotten at any other department.
Wayne won, Barry lost.
Deal with it and let it alone, for at least 4 years.

(I posted this in another blog, maybe it should have gone here)
I am not privy to the knowledge of the reason behind Sheriff Hannah’s actions with the demotion of Barry Babb, but I can certainly read the signs and know what has transpired. Sheriff Hannah is in the business of keeping himself in power and in office for the long term. As such he viewed the internally popular Babb as the greatest threat to his continued and long term possession of the Sheriff’s office. Once Hannah gained the support of the previous Sheriff and the powers that be in the county, he formulated a cold plan and followed it. He didn’t agree to any pre-election hand tying with regard to keeping people in positions. He saw no need and didn’t want to overtly break a promise. Once he was elected and took office, he demoted Babb and sent him to the worst place within the organization, the jail (according to the thoughts of County Officers). He also chose not to protect Babb’s pay as he had only one goal for him—to get him to quit the Sheriff’s office and move away. Seasoned officers that are sent to the jail are sent there to force them out of the organization.

I am sure that Hannah felt that Babb would have moved on by now and did not account for the political fall out that will happen from the destruction of Babb’s finances. Hannah’s view was myopic and now this is an unforeseen problem. Here is the issue, Hannah has not positioned himself as an SOB and has painted himself as a good Christian man that is for tradition values and is a good man. He didn’t position himself as the cold person that he actually is. Our actions tend to highlight our character. This action has highlighted Hannah’s character. He chose to protect his position, eliminate a rival, and rule by fiat. He wanted Babb to leave the Sheriff’s office so that Hannah could say in future campaigns that Babb left the force and does not have the loyalty required to be a sheriff. So where does Hannah go from here? Will this foreclosure stick to Hannah in the next election cycle? Does this highlight Hannah as what he is? Are the voters going to give him a pass in the next election?

I loved the Count of Monte Cristo. I see this as Edmond Dantes (Babb) strapped up in chains and waiting to get a savage beating by the sadistic Jailer (Hannah). As Dantes pleads his innocence while in chains, the jailer states coldly that he knows he is innocent, because his jail (Chateau D’If) was where they sent people who were embarrassments and threats to those in power. Of course that knowledge does not stay the jailer’s hand. He beats Dantes savagely anyway—just as Hannah’s hand was not stayed by the emasculating demotion and halving of his rival’s pay, knowing the demotion was for political expediency. He is hoping that Babb moves away and goes away. He didn’t think he would last this long and embarrass Hannah like this news must surely do.

I have always been under the impression that when a new sheriff is elected that he can pick who he wants to do what and even replace some if he wishes. Fir instance, why would a democratic sheriff want a passel of republican deputies when that could be the case in another situation? This is why it needs to be a hired job!!!!!

If this is not the case then why doesn't Mr. Babb sue the sheriff or county or state for damages?
I have no idea why he demoted Mr. Babb but it could be that it had nothing to do with an opponent in the election. Did Babb say something maybe about the job of the sheriff's wife?

It is weird that so many comments have appeared here about all this but no reason has been stated by either side.

Glad to see that I am not the only one to notice this issue.
I also have seen the "lie" as well. I was shocked to find out that Cpt.Babb had been "STRIPED" of his rank in malice and placed in the jail of all places. Why placed in the jail? No legal issues there??
If the so called sheriff is concerned about "Legal" issues then why are more ( and important ) issues not being taken care of as well?
If the so called sheriff wants to speak of "Missing" things, then why not do it fully? If you are not going to do it right, then do not do it at all!
The jail for one is a case that needs to be looked into and fixed. For one, in the past the jail was ran like a so called Day care for suppose to be adults. Most inmates have even stated the jail was ran like a day care center. Guess it is a catered life style when an inmate escapes, eats chicken, drinks beer in the woods between the jail and the courthouse and then lets them self back into the jail and cell he is assigned to. One would think that if a inmate escapes the jail that he/she would not come back on his/her own in this manner.
The inmates are catered to and run the jail more then the officers do. It is a sad day when an inmate stands up to you and tells you " You can't do anything to me, I'll tell "-insert majors name here at the time-!" Then when the situation reaches the supervisors you then have to prove your word over the inmates!
What a sad day when an officer has to prove his word and his actions over an inmate who has racked up frequent flyer miles and a personal spot in the jail. Sort of makes you think of ole' Drunken Ottis of Mayberry on the Andy Grif show.
Seems to me if you want to "Do the right thing" that you would do it across the board!
But then again, all in who you know and what you know.
It's sad that people are one way to the public and totally opposite out of sight.
Lets just hope personal feelings were not involved!
I also would love to see the justice shown as well! Oh yea, I DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM!!!!