For many of us, September 11 has become a day of remembrance and a time to band together and take care of other people in any small way we can.
But for one sheriff’s deputy in Oregon, it was apparently an opportunity to share some dark advice amidst the wildfires that have spread in the Pacific Northwest.
A video was circulated online after an individual presumably wearing a body camera caught the deputy giving a group of armed White nationalist militia members tips on how to use force and kill civilians without getting caught or being charged.
The sheriff’s deputy has been identified as Deputy Mark Nikolai, who was placed on administrative leave.
The incident took place in Clackamas County, where he delivered the advice and made false claims about Antifa’s involvement behind the wildfires.
Nikolai can be heard saying in the video:
“Don’t get yourself in a situation where you lose your rights because you pushed the limit.”
“You all mean to do good, your heart’s in the right place, but the courts nowadays don’t give a s**t where your heart is.”
“Be advised, there are homeowners who have been prosecuted for murder because they killed some guy who was on their property. You have to prove serious physical injury or death.”
“Now, if you throw a f**king knife in their hand after you shoot them, that’s on you.”
Officials from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department have denied any affiliation with Nikolai’s statements or point of view.
Sheriff Craig Roberts also said in a public statement:
“I want to clarify for the record: One of our captains indicated a source stated that Antifa was involved in possible criminal activity. That source has since been determined to be false.”
You can watch the video here.
WARNING: NSFW language
Many who have seen the video online have shared their distaste for Deputy Nikolai’s remarks.
Bad LE just like this is why we r all so distrustful of our police & other law authorities. This is systematic racism in action.
— Nancy A Banker (@NancyABanker) September 16, 2020
And, this is why there can be no peace.
Corruption among law enforcement in the US is deep and widespread. Just imagine the stuff you don’t hear about or see.
—
Cala
Odd that a cop would suggest ways to get away with violent crimes.
#justice
— John G (@gilmo51) September 17, 2020
Conspiracy to commit murder charges are warranted.
— Darby Abbott (@DarbysCastle) September 17, 2020
There is so much to fix in this country. My God.
— kn
(@econgirl5) September 16, 2020
Tell me again why we should trust law enforcement.
— Trumpload Dig (@oldyeller61) September 16, 2020
Others, however, have shown support for his advice to White nationalists.
A Facebook page was created the next day, on September 12, encouraging the public to support Deputy Mark Nikolai, his actions and his reinstatement in the Department. The Facebook page was titled “Patriots for Deputy Nikolai.”
The mission of the page read:
“We as a community want [Deputy Nikolai] put back to work. Share this page. [If] it gets enough attention, maybe Sheriff Roberts will listen to the Clackamas Community.”
After the Facebook page appeared, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department also dismissed any ties between their department and any support for Nikolai’s reinstatement.
The Facebook page was also attributed to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office’s Administrative Assistant, Maigen Thompson. Thompson, however, stated she was not involved in the creation of the Facebook page and was unsure why they would have used her email address to generate it.
It’s unclear who initially created the page, and whether or not it will be enough to get Nikolai reinstated after his actions on September 11.
