Kalamazoo County Deputy Claims Sheriff ‘Punished’ Him For Running In Primary

A Kalamazoo County Deputy is claiming that he suffered retaliation from the Sheriff because he ran against him for the office.

MLive reports that Deputy Thomas Swafford claims he was stripped of his deputy powers, including his firearm and badge, in January, by Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller. Swafford, who works in the jail facility, ran against Fuller in the Democratic Primary for County Sheriff in August; Fuller later went on to retain his position in the general election.

Swafford said that he believes these actions are a form of punishment, for running against the incumbent sheriff.

Sheriff Fuller has yet to comment on the allegations.