As a professional law enforcement group of retired chiefs of police in Contra Costa County, we would like to go on record supporting the Times editorial concerning Sheriff Warren Rupf and dispute claims made by Thomas Portue criticizing it.

Many of us have known, and worked with, Sheriff Rupf for 30 years and more. We recognize, based on our professional experience, that he is one of the finest sheriffs anywhere.

Here is a man who came up from the ranks from street deputy to the top elected position with little or no opposition. Here is a sheriff who has been re-elected every time he ran with support from business, law enforcement, and the general community countywide.

Re-election after re-election does not happen where mismanagement, scandal, and graft abound. A grand jury investigation? For what and why? The suggestion is pure baloney by any measure. Oh, we forgot, we're looking for endemic and systemic failures.

Apparently, Thomas Portue is upset that Sheriff Rupf did not identify and hang the officers in the Dugard case in the public square. Instead, he did exactly the right thing that any official in that position should do. He took the "hit" personally, and did not throw his deputies under the bus.

Congratulations Sheriff Rupf. You stand tall, and cast a giant shadow with us.

This piece was also signed by Ernest Clements, Karel Swanson, Jim Nunes, Glen Herendeen, Jim Bray, Dan Givens, Bob Hughes,