Response on Sheriff's Overtime

We knew this story would generate controversy and it has.

During a routine review of Knox County overtime records, we discovered that the Sheriff had collected nearly $10,000 and his Chief Deputy Tom Spangler nearly $9,000 for their time in the New Orleans area last year.

It surprised us because we had assumed they were volunteers. But of the $43,000 reimbursed to Knox County by FEMA, nearly half of it went to Hutchison and Spangler.

Our Soundoff Forum was pretty negative toward the Sheriff. Below is an example:

In my opinion, I am very disappointed to hear that Sheriff Hutchison accepted this money. However, I am not suprised. When asked to comment on this, I think it is funny how he quickly moved to discussing the poor victims of Katrina, rather than the actual issue at hand. How can one really relate to the victims of Katrina, when they essentially just put almost $10, 000 in your pocket?! He should be ashamed!!!!! -- AFisher

But not everyone thought the Sheriff's acceptance of the money was wrong. Below is a post from a police officer:

I am a cop here in Knoxville, we all were concerned about the looting and violence which was occurring in Louisiana. Some volunteered, others couldn't for whatever reason. At the time, no one knew that we would be compensated by FEMA for our efforts. A few months after everyone returned we found out that we would receive compensation from the federal government. Those of us who went spent two or three weeks there, worked eighteen hour (sometimes longer) days, missed our families, answered high risk calls in riot conditions, and as almost every cop in Knoxville has to we were unable to work extra jobs to make ends meet while we were away. So when FEMA sent us a check it was a blessing. We would have done it without the compensation, but I don't feel that it was wrong for accepting payment. I doubt that many people (cop or not) would. --- ktwnman

Nothing wrong with being paid for work done, but in the Sheriff's case, wasn't he already being paid by Knox County taxpayers as a salaried employee?