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Former “sheriff of the year” arrested and sent to jail named after him

By Eric Pfeiffer | The Sideshow – Wed, Nov 30, 2011

Mugshot of former "sheriff of the year" Pat SullivanEvery civil servant wants to experience his or her legacy firsthand--but not the way that onetime Arapahoe Sheriff Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. has. Sullivan, a nationally renowned law enforcement leader, was arrested on drug charges and is now being detained in the Denver area jail that bears his name.

Sullivan, who in 2001 was named the National Sheriff Association's "Sheriff of the Year," was arrested on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines.

Local news station CBS4 began an investigation of Sullivan last month on a tip that he had agreed to meet a male informant, providing drugs in exchange for sex. He was subsequently arrested by the South Metro Drug Task Force and is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.

And in an incredible twist of fate, Sullivan now cooling his heels at The Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility, named in his honor.

"The allegations of criminal behavior involving Pat Sullivan are extraordinarily disturbing," said Grayson Robinson, Arapahoe County's current sheriff. "While the arrest of the former sheriff is very troubling, no one, and particularly a former peace officer, is above the law. This is the most shocking thing I've ever been involved with."

Sullivan, 68, has been retired for nine years, but had been serving as director of safety and security for Cherry Creek Schools.

"This is a very sad time for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and our community," Robinson said. The CBS4 report also found that for several years Sullivan has posted bond for multiple suspects held in drug cases at jail facilities across the state.

As recently as 2008, Sullivan was an active participant in state and local methamphetamine task forces, helping Colorado draft a plan to deal with the surge in meth-related crime.

In 1995 President Bill Clinton named Sullivan to the National Commission on Crime Prevention and Control. According to a 1995 White House news release, Sullivan was a consultant to U.S. House Subcommittee on Crime and served on two advisory councils affiliated with the Department of Justice.

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Top Locations Charlotte Jackson

5,934 comments

Lance • Charlotte, North Carolina • 4 mths ago
Just one of so many dirty cops that feel above the law.
Captain Bill • Jackson, Mississippi • 4 mths ago
I just love this story..... I have it on my "Favorites" list. I wonder if the High Sheriff ever made bail.
Bob • Columbus, United States • 5 mths ago
Now he's gotta chance to be "Inmate of the Year"
- Jay 5 mths ago
  best comment so far!
- TimE 5 mths ago
  Funny but possible.
- Captain Bill 5 mths ago
  Perfect.
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Reply
Bartus • Peoria Heights, United States • 5 mths ago
I guess we now know why he was tough on drugs, during his time in office... he was eliminating the competition!
- jay 5 mths ago
  LOL...funny!
- keiffer 5 mths ago
  or stock piling product in anticipation of the launch of his new business venture...
- 4goertlers 5 mths ago
  I was thinking of the same thing! Like an episode of "Breaking Bad" or something... He's despicable & I hope he spends the rest of his life in jail.
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Reply
C. Menstein • 5 mths ago
The longer someone is in a position of power, the more likely that person will become corrupted.
- Uripidz 5 mths ago
  ole saying - 'Power Corrupts! ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY! !'
- EDWARD B 5 mths ago
  Supreme Court Members come to mind.
- David 5 mths ago
  ie., Congress?
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Reply
david • Springfield, United States • 5 mths ago
who the hell can you trust these days anymore? All of these civil leaders, coaches, teachers, potiticians gets in trouble!! This formal sheriff should stay there in his own prison for a long time to come.
- John 5 mths ago
  Former, not formal.
- cesarb714 5 mths ago
  I hear you man but at the end of the day they are only human.
- Angus Scrimm 5 mths ago
  No, who should be rotting in jail are those imperials from the Dark Ages who imbibe at DC COCKtail parties, while passing laws against other 'drugs'.
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Reply
Ccapncrunch • 5 mths ago
"Irony of the Year"
- BeamerUSA 5 mths ago
  of the CENTURY.
- A Yahoo! User 5 mths ago
  seriously a jail named after him thats a movie waiting to happen
- Captain Bill 5 mths ago
  Perfect.
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Reply
Salad head • 5 mths ago
He'll be fine - Some of his friends are waiting for him in there!
enzo • 5 mths ago
I think policemen, judges, and probably lawyers too should be held to an even higher legal standard. Just like traffic fines are doubled when you are in a construction zone, cops should receive more jail time than others for their crimes.
ChuckA • Detroit, United States • 5 mths ago
I am always disturbed to find that those who are hired to protect and serve do just the opposite. It is more than irony. This is a betrayal to the entire population of Colorado and the US as a whole.
clyde beamie • Las Vegas, United States • 5 mths ago
Corrupt cops, corrupt politicians, corrupt government, corrupt corporations....Welcome to the New World Order...
David • 5 mths ago
Dirty cops and ironic justice.
Ron Jeremy • 5 mths ago
Well, he's gonna love jail then. He won't even have to offer meth for the sex. Aiii Pappi.
fearandbalanced • Atlanta, United States • 5 mths ago
A case of a Fox protecting the Hen house.
Death Rattle • Troy, United States • 5 mths ago
Ironic thing is, I'll bet this little piggy was dirty even when he got the sheriff of the year award.
mtpwolverine • 5 mths ago
Yet another reason not to name anything for a living person.....
jim2 • Dallas, United States • 5 mths ago
WOW a crooked cop , who would have seen that coming
R • 5 mths ago
I bet he'll be real popular with the inmates. Wonder whose wife he will end up being?
Chris • 5 mths ago
No surprise here. There's many more where this schitt head came from.
Army national guard 31bra ... • Madison, United States • 5 mths ago
The funny part of this story is the fact that he is being held a facility he was named after! I wonder what other fellow inmates have to say about the new inmate.

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