Grant Co. Sheriff Palmer called ‘security leak’ in complaints

Harsh accusations have been leveled against Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer and his connection with the armed occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Numerous complaints were sent about Palmer to the state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

Palmer was called a “security leak” in a complaint filed by the 911 emergency communications manager in John Day, Valerie Luttrell.

Luttrell said she has “deep concern (over) the support that Palmer is showing for the Militia.”

Another complaint came from John Day Police Chief Richard Gray.

“I have a great public safety concern when the Grant County sheriff is allowed to openly meet with and be part of this group of lawbreakers,” Gray said.

Palmer has been sympathetic to the cause of the militants and, according to the documents presented to the Oregon Department of Justice, was in attendance in uniform at the scheduled community meeting with militia members on Jan. 26.

The meeting never happened because Ammon Bundy and other militia members were arrested on their way to the meeting and LaVoy Finicum was shot and killed.

Palmer allegedly was traveling to the site of arrest with a militia member, and many at the dispatch center were concerned over his trustworthiness.

“I felt uncomfortable knowing that I had to relay vital and confidential information to someone who may not be trustworthy,” one dispatch worker said in the complaint.

Luttrell said Palmer was viewed as a security leak not only by local law enforcement officers, but by the Oregon State Police and FBI.

The DPSST is now asking the Oregon Department of Justice to investigate Palmer. Although the agency has no authority to remove Palmer from office, since he’s an elected official, it can revoke his license as a law enforcement officer.

Palmer is up for re-election in November. Former Grant County Undersheriff Todd McKinley will run against him.