IDABEL — A nationally known civil rights advocate ramped up the pressure on two McCurtain County officials to resign last week, just days after an off-duty Haworth police officer was charged with pointing a firearm and making racist comments.
On May 23, Rev. Jessie Jackson Sr. issued a statement echoing the call for McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy and his chief investigator, Alicia Manning, to resign.
Jackson’s comments came after a recording made by the McCurtain Gazette had Clardy, Manning, McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix surfaced in which the four discussed the idea of killing two journalists, making fun of a woman who died in a suspicious house fire and bemoaning the fact they could no longer lynch Black residents.
The incidents are the latest in what has become an ugly spring in McCurtain County.
On May 18, Hawthorn Police Officer Jerry Neal Pollard was charged with feloniously pointing a firearm and a man and making racist remarks. A story about the incident, published in the Gazette, said witnesses told the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that Pollard confronted an employee of Alford Metals in April and pointed a rifle at him and said, “Run, (N-word) run.”
Haworth is a small town about 10 minutes away from Idabel.
On the same day that Pollard was arrested, Haworth’s chief of police issued a statement on social media that said Pollard was “placed on suspension from the Haworth Police Department” following the charges.
“I was not contacted again because the OSBI took over the case,” wrote Ediberto Flores, the police chief. “A warrant was issued and Mr. Pollard turned himself in. I don’t have any other information about this case other than the OSBI is investigating.”
Last Tuesday, Jackson told The Oklahoman the recording was a reminder of the unfinished business of tackling racism.
“They should all resign,” Jackson said. “We cannot condone that type of behavior. These institutions have to uphold morals and standards in a meaningful way, to keep the trust of the people. You should not and cannot have trust in people who make those types of statements. That isn’t right.”
Jackson was initially set to speak at a May 19 rally in Oklahoma about the incident, but that rally was cancelled just a day before it was set to occur. Officials with Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, said the event was cancelled due to extenuating circumstances.
Since the McCurtain County recording has surfaced, several state officials, including Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond have called for those involved to resign. Jennings, the commissioner, stepped down from office a short time later and Hendrix was placed on paid administrative leave. Clardy and Manning, however, remain in office.
In addition to the push for resignations, Stitt asked Drummond to investigate the issue. Drummond later expanded the investigation, tasking the OSBI.
Several federal lawsuits – including Gazette reporter Chris Willingham’s suit – have been filed against the sheriff’s office alleging corruption and retaliation.