Sheriff Rummel humbled by support

SANDERS COUNTY - An American icon once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” and it was in the example set by Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel last week that the public saw - and liked - what he stood for in a time of uncertainty which surrounds the issue of gun control.

Sheriff Rummel went on record last week with an official statement that claimed he, as Sheriff of Sanders County, will continue to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state of Montana, and that any federal regulations or executive orders enacted by the President regarding gun control will not be enforced by Sheriff Rummel and his deputies. His statement was issued with the purpose of clearing up any confusion, or uncertainty that had been expressed by citizens in the wake of the gun control debate since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in December.

So far, just one week from issuing the statement, the feedback has been positive.

“There’s been a load of support,” Rummel said. “To me, it was the right thing to do. So far, I’ve received phone calls, a few people have walked in [to the Sheriff’s Office] to shake my hand, and I’m trying to keep up with all the emails - there’s been well over 50.”

And still more are streaming in, all of which has remained supportive and commend his actions. Yet Rummel reamins calm in the chaos of cheer, and maintains a humble attitude that is geared towards service.

“One individual referred to me as ‘The High Sheriff,’ but I’m not the high sheriff,” Rummel said. “I’m the low sheriff, I’m a servant of the people.”

He then elaborated on what that service means to him as the sheriff.

“I’m fulfilling my oath to the people of Sanders County. I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and Montana, and I think all elected officials that have taken that oath need to evaluate that. We are servants of the people by taking that oath, and that responsibility, and as an elected official, they need to remember that. Too many forget.”

That goes without saying, then, the sheriff’s view of the current elected official who resides in the White House. On a local level, Rummel believes his duty to assure the rights of the citizens comes with the territory of being the county sheriff, and therefore a figure of the law. Sheriff Rummel ran on the Republican ballot for County Sheriff in 2010, and won by 14 provisional ballots following the recount of the votes for Sheriff. Rummel will be up for re-election, should he choose to run, in November of 2014. Since his election, Rummel has maintained his “nice guy” demeanor, impressing many citizens and county officials.

Apart from his statement to the public last week, Rummel hasn’t made efforts for the limelight before; however, that is not what he is cuurently seeking. All he wants, he said, is to remain humble despite the attention, and to keep the certainty of the citizens positive. For being the first county sheriff in Montana to go on record about the federal gun control debate, he may have directly inspired other county sheriffs to do the same. Sheriffs of the counties of Ravalli, Lake, Wibaux, and Powell are following suit in stating refusal to enforce federal gun control regualtions.

“It’s humbling to see this support,” Rummel said. “When you stand up for what you know is right and then you have the support of the community behind you, yes, it is very humbling. And very good.”