Why did Sheriff Eric Flowers need to hire a well-known retired deputy to serve as civilian community affairs liaison for the agency?
Better yet: Why now?
The timing of Flowers’ decision to return Jeff Luther to the Sheriff’s Office payroll last week is at least curious, coming only six days after the sheriff launched what is expected to be a difficult run for re-election.
Not only is the sheriff facing a strong challenge from one of his captains – Milo Thornton has raised a whopping $203,000 since announcing his candidacy two months ago – but Flowers also hired a ‘community affairs liaison’ at a time when he’s asking the county for more money to put more deputies on the road.
If the agency is undermanned, shouldn’t Flowers have used the $50,000 annual salary he’s paying Luther to hire another deputy?
Surely, the Sheriff’s Office can function effectively without a civilian liaison. The agency already uses its website and social media outlets, especially its Facebook page, to disseminate information to the community.
And for more compelling news, the sheriff can hold a press conference whenever he feels one is necessary.
Which begs the question: Does a 500-member Sheriff’s Office need a full-time civilian employee to interact with local civic organizations, clubs and nonprofits, and promote the agency?
Multiple sources familiar with the agency’s operations said Flowers created the new civilian position on June 7 – the day Luther was hired – and that the job wasn’t publicly posted.
Sheriff’s Office Captain Joe Abollo, the agency’s public information officer, did not respond to an email containing a list of questions regarding the seemingly sudden decision to hire Luther.
Nor did Flowers or Undersheriff Thom Raulen, both of whom were copied on the email intended to confirm with them the information provided by the sources and provide an opportunity for the agency’s leaders to explain why Luther was hired now.
In fact, Flowers has not responded to any questions from Vero Beach 32963 since he took office in January 2021, continuing his stubborn refusal to be held accountable by talking to only the local bloggers and journalist wannabes he deems friendly.
As of Monday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office also had not responded to public records requests filed last week for the job posting, description of duties and salary – easily accessed information that the previous administration would provide within hours.
The current administration invites suspicion.
Certainly, Flowers’ silence gives us reason to wonder whether Luther, through his efforts to promote the Sheriff’s Office, is essentially promoting the sheriff – and doing so during a re-election campaign while being paid by the taxpayers.
It’s also fair to ask then: Is that why Luther was hired?
Luther, who retired in 2015 as a Sheriff’s Office major and chief of staff under three-term sheriff Deryl Loar, said his new position isn’t political – but he understands why some in the community might question Flowers’ motives.
“I had a feeling I’d be getting a call from you,” Luther said last week. “I know people will assume a lot of things, particularly because of the timing, and I know this surprised a lot of people. But politics had no bearing whatsoever on this decision.
“If you put that spin on it, that’s you,” he added. “That’s not me.”
Luther, a 67-year-old Vero Beach native who has been working locally as a Coldwell Banker realtor, said he rejoined the Sheriff’s Office because he enjoyed law enforcement and missed being a part of it.
He said Flowers called and asked him to return to the agency, but initially the timing wasn’t right. After giving the offer more thought, however, Luther changed his mind.
“I went in and asked Eric if I could come back and do some work, and it happened quickly,” Luther said. “I saw him one day and was hired the next, and I started a couple of days later.”
He said his duties will be similar to the public-information and community affairs role he played under sheriffs Tim Dobeck, Roy Raymond and Loar. Although he’s a civilian employee, he will remain a reserve deputy.
Will he also remain loyal to Flowers, who in March promoted Luther’s son, William, to captain of the agency’s Special Operations Division?
On the day he was hired, Luther attended – and was listed among the hosts of – a meet-and-greet fundraiser at Quail Valley’s River Club for another sheriff’s candidate, Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry.
Since then, Luther has withdrawn his support for Touchberry, who was the runner-up to Flowers in the 2020 Republican primary.
“I’m kind of up in the air now,” Luther said, adding that he told Touchberry he was taking the new job. “I’ve been changing my mind on a lot of different things, so I’m not saying I’m for anybody at this point. I’m working for the Sheriff’s Office.”
One source with knowledge of the situation said Luther “bailed on Touchberry” because he no longer believed he could win.
Touchberry said last week he was “surprised” when Luther informed him of his plans, but he did not want to comment further.
As expected, Thornton said he would not comment on Flowers’ decision to hire Luther.
And, really, what can they say?
We all know how it looks, and it looks as bad as it smells. But even if we’re right – if Flowers is flailing desperately in response to Thornton’s money and momentum – will it be enough?
Flowers needs to overcome a couple of mistake-filled years.
Incumbent sheriffs in this county have lost only twice since the mid-1950s, when Sam T. Joyce began a 26-year run that ended with his retirement in 1980. Dobeck lost to Gary Wheeler in 1992, and Wheeler lost to Raymond in 2000.
Flowers might be the next – no matter who he hires.
