Former East Texas deputy claims sheriff retaliated against him

POLK COUNTY, Texas — A former Polk County deputy filed a lawsuit Monday, accusing the county sheriff of retaliation after his failed election bid to unseat the sheriff.

According to the lawsuit, Jeffrey Dale Martin claims that Sheriff Ronald Clinton threatened sheriff's office employees who were perceived to be supportive of Martin's campaign and prohibited them from placing pro-campaign signs in their private residences.

Martin claims in the lawsuit that Clinton told commissioners court that Martin would be fired after the 2024 primary election and that Martin's jailer commission from the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) would be revoked. Martin also claims that a Panola County Sheriff's Office employee was threatened with “consequences” because of her husband's support of Martin.

After being asked to stop the retaliation during a meeting with the Panola County judge and district attorney, the lawsuit claims Clinton declared, “I'm the sheriff!” I can do whatever I want!”

The lawsuit claims Clinton began retaliating against those who supported Martin's campaign after Martin lost the election. That would have involved the removal of a reserve deputy and the sheriff's office chaplain.

Martin also claims that Clinton refused to sign the memorandum of understanding with TCOLE, which ended Martin's ability to do his job. According to the lawsuit, Martin was then placed on paid leave while county commissioners “tried to figure it out.”

The lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas.

Martin seeks to recover damages including past economic losses related to lost wages, future economic losses in the form of future lost income and loss of earning capacity, damages for past and future emotional pain , suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive or exemplary damages, according to the lawsuit.