Darr to sheriff’s office employees: Don’t risk being seen with me

Former Sheriff John Darr posted a comment on Facebook defending a Muscogee County Sheriff’s employee who claims she was forced to retire after eating lunch with him at Shane’s Rib Shack.

The employee, Capt. Jeri Lee Green, posted her own comment Wednesday on Facebook, stating that she was forced to retire for disloyalty after Sheriff Donna Tompkins and Lt. Joe McCrea saw her eating with the former sheriff. Tompkins has denied Green’s version of the story, saying that Green submitted retirement paperwork through her attorney and retired Sept. 29.

“I don't usually respond to things of this nature,” Darr wrote Thursday on Facebook. “However, I feel it is important to make certain that I relay this information regarding the situation mentioned. At no time, during the duration of our conversation, did Captain Green speak of anything regarding Jail sensitive information.

“I also personally witnessed her say hello to both Sheriff Tompkins and Major McCrea,” he continued. “I would like to sincerely apologize to Captain Green for any inconvenience she has been made to endure for being seen with me, at what I believed to be a harmless lunch between old friends.”

Darr said he attended Green’s retirement ceremony, but did not know if he would be awarded such opportunities in the future.

“I would also like to tell the men and women of the Muscogee County Sheriff's office, who I had the honor of working with for 28 years, that I do not wish to be the cause of any discord between you and the current administration,” he said. “Please, do not put yourselves at any risk. I truly understand and appreciate your well-being and circumstances. I continue to pray and offer my support for all law enforcement officers in our county and the state of Georgia.”

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Darr to sheriff’s office employees: Don’t risk being seen with me."