Calls For WilCo Sheriff Commander's Removal Intensify

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX —Another top Williamson County official has called for the removal from office of a sheriff's commander whose controversial Facebook page — making light of sexual assault and calling for violence against black NFL players — has created a community firestorm.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles called for Stephen Deaton, the sheriff's office commander, to be stripped of his position since his now-deleted social media page came to light. Deaton used children's dolls to illustrate his take on current events, positioning the toys to illustrate acts of violence and sexual assault while cracking jokes as captions.

With the mere action of hitting the "like" button on one of Deaton's post, Sheriff Robert Chody unwittingly ensnared himself in the controversy. The sheriff registered his tacit endorsement of a Deaton-created post featuring a chainsaw-carrying Elf on the Shelf doll having cut off the legs of another doll representing black NFL players who protest by taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem at games. Chody later explained he didn't condone the violence illustrated in the bloody post, but hit "like" to show his own support of remaining standing during the anthem.

County Judge Bill Gravell expressed similar contrition in having utilized the "like" button on at least one of Deaton's post, later publicly calling for Deaton's removal in light of his social media output. Beyond both men's use of the "like" button, it was their previous knowledge of Deaton's posts without reflexively condemning them when they first emerged that has added to the controversy.

Related stories:

WilCo Sheriff Chody Finds Himself Under Unwelcome Spotlight

WilCo Sheriff Addresses Furor Over Subordinate's Facebook Page

WilCo Commissioners End 'Live PD' Contract

Round Rock Rape Victim Re-Traumatized By Cop's Social Media Page

WilCo Sheriff Disavows Commander's Controversial Facebook Page

With a commentary piece authored for the community newspaper Round Rock Leader this week, Boles has added his voice to a growing chorus of people calling for Deaton's firing or resignation.

"Law enforcement holds an important role in our community and requires the trust of the public," Boles wrote in the Aug. 20 column. "Sheriff Commander Steve Deaton’s actions — specifically posting offensive pictures on social media and disparaging women within his command influence — don’t meet the high standards we expect."

With his social media tactics, Deaton "has lost the trust of the community and impaired his ability to effectively carry out his duties," Boles wrote. "I believe it would be in the best interest of the county and our community if he were no longer in that position of leadership."

But Chody has declined to take any disciplinary on his commander — who he recruited from their old stint at the Austin Police Department — by invoking his subordinate's freedom of expression as safeguarded by the U.S. Constitution. Some critics have pointed to a double standard with this argument, noting Chody's recent firing of two canine unit officers caught being critical of the chain of command on their private cell phones.

In his column, Boles noted that county commissioners have no influence in determining personnel changes at the sheriff's office —a charge solely held by the sheriff. In recent action, commissioners directed staff to craft more specific policies related to county workers' use of social media in direct response to Deaton's posts.

As commissioner of Williamson County Precinct 4, Boles area of representation encompasses Hutto, Taylor and the eastern portion of Round Rock.

The social media firestorm isn't the first time Deaton has sparked controversy. An investigation was launched after the commander inquired if any of his deputies had had sex with a sexual relationship with a female producer of the A&E reality show "Live PD" that featured the work of WilCo deputies as part of its entertainment mix. Chody defended Deaton on that front as well, denying the sexual challenge was ever made but acknowledging his commander inquired if any of his employees had slept with the producer. Interviews with multiple witnesses independently corroborated those remarks were made.

Deaton also got in some hot water during his APD days, pre-dating his time at the WilCo sheriff's office. In November 2015, Deaton inadvertently left both his badge and gun at a Target store in Lakeline Mall, only noticing he lacked the tools of his trade when he was at home, as KXAN and other media outlets reported at the time. Deaton later retrieved his belongings, telling an officer who responded to a customer's call after the items were found that he put the gun in a shopping cart while shopping and forgot to retrieve them.

Deaton was reported to have been internally disciplined after the incident, but did not face suspension or unpaid time off as a result, as Patch reported at the time.

In another incident the year before, Deaton was suspended for three days for "unprofessional conduct," as KXAN reported. The suspension came after a meeting with officers in which Deaton discussed his decision to bring a case involving another officer to Internal Affairs during his time as assistant chief.

Deaton resigned from his position as chief in April of 2014 for personal reasons. He told the news station: "Recently I found myself in the position of having to choose between staying in my current assignment and/or pursuing the relationship I recently began. I will be stepping down as an assistant chief. I will continue my career with the PD in my previous role with the rank of commander."

Editor's note: In media interviews, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody has denied Commander Stephen Deaton issued a direct challenge to his deputies to have sex with a female producer of the show "Live PD," even while acknowledging Deaton made remarks in inquiring if any such intimate relationship existed between the producer and any of his deputies.