CLEAR ACTION ON BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF

The removal from office of Butler County's sheriff, Sam Gilmore, for appointing his son-in-law a sheriff's reserve officer surprised a lot of people, particularly since the complaint was brought by a former Butler County sheriff with ulterior motives.

But a Cape Girardeau County circuit judge, William Syler, ousted Gilmore after hearing a prosecutor's civil suit. The judge said he couldn't concern himself with politics. The fact that Gilmore appointed the man wasn't even in dispute. The question was whether, under the Missouri Constitution, his appointment constituted nepotism. Syler said it did.

The state's Constitution says: "Any public officer or employee in this state who by virtue of his office or employment names or appoints to public office or employment any relative within the fourth degree, by consanguinity or affinity, shall thereby forfeit his office or employment."

It is important to remember that Gilmore, who was ousted immediately upon the judge's order, was removed from office strictly for nepotism and nothing more. It shouldn't be a reflection on how he otherwise ran the sheriff's office.