Dear Editor:
Regarding the decision by Judge Beetem in the civil matter between Michael Dixon (sheriff) and the Missouri Department of Public Service concerning Dixon's peace officer license revocation, all sides made mistakes, including Dixon.
I respect Judge Beetem and, after reading his decision, I respect his decision, although I don't completely understand his thought process. What his decision amounts to is a do-over for all parties, and nothing else should be read into this decision.
Remember the facts of the criminal case against Dixon. He originally was charged with a felony and three misdemeanors and pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor (harassment), but admitted to all of the charges. Dixon was placed on two years' probation and was instructed to not use alcohol, or be in a place where alcohol was served unless he was on duty. He also agreed to tell the truth about his conviction and seek treatment for his dependency on alcohol and drugs.
He has consistently lied about his guilty plea and has been known to consume alcohol frequently. Remember,these criminal acts were initiated by Dixon and not by his political opponents. He is not the white knight he wants the public to believe.
Without his family's wealth, he would have been out the door, just like any other officer, who had committed the same criminal acts. He paid a fee, to be supervised on his probation, by a private company, which I believe has not checked on his behavior, nor tested him for drug and alcohol use on a regular basis and probably not checked at all. Dixon has always been treated differently and has received this decision with the best justice that money can buy.
To all law-abiding citizens and moral, ethical peace officers, keep the pressure on POST and the attorney general, to immediately start the process over again. This decision was nothing more than a technicality, and not unethical treatment of Dixon, and the truth will win out over wealth.
People should not be allowed to win elections with wealth, or stop justice with the same wealth.
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