After being criticized for his handling of a report about a man who later carried out a mass shooting, Sgt. Aaron Skolfield of the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office in Maine is running for sheriff as a Republican against his boss, Sheriff Joel Merry, who is a Democrat. The report from a commission looking into events preceding the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history, where Robert Card killed 18 people, found that Skolfield should have realized he had probable cause to start the state’s “yellow flag” process, which can be used to remove guns from a potentially dangerous person.
Both Skolfield and Merry did not respond to calls seeking comment about the commission’s report. While Skolfield did not comment on the election, Merry mentioned that he is seeking reelection because there is work that needs to be done to further the mission of the agency. Merry stated that ultimately, the decision will be up to the citizens of Sagadahoc County to decide who will serve as sheriff.
During a January hearing in front of the commission, both Skolfield and Merry defended the sheriff’s office’s actions. Skolfield described himself as a “simple street cop” who responded to Card’s home in September, where Card refused to communicate. However, the commission’s report criticized Skolfield for making limited attempts to meet with Card in person and failing to consult agency records or follow up on leads to contact Card. The report also noted that Skolfield failed to take certain necessary actions to prevent the mass shooting.
The commission’s report is in contrast to an earlier independent review released by Merry in December, which concluded that Skolfield did not have sufficient grounds to take Card into protective custody or initiate the process for confiscation of Card’s firearms. Despite the criticisms in the report, Skolfield filed for candidacy for county sheriff in February and is using traditional campaign financing for his bid. The election is set to take place this year.
Skolfield’s testimony during public sessions held by the commission in January highlighted his frustration, along with other law enforcement officials, in implementing the state’s yellow flag law. The commission is expected to deliver a full report of its findings in the summer. Card, an Army reservist, was found dead by suicide after the mass shooting. Prior to the incident, he had been known to law enforcement, with relatives expressing concerns about his access to guns and warning police about his paranoia. The extent to which the tragedy could have been prevented has been a subject of intense scrutiny since the shootings occurred.
The events leading up to the mass shooting, including the warning signs and concerns raised by those close to Card, have raised questions about the effectiveness of current gun control and mental health policies. The upcoming election for Sagadahoc County Sheriff will play a crucial role in determining the leadership that will address these issues and work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future. The commission’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough and effective law enforcement actions in responding to potential threats in order to safeguard the community’s safety.
