Former Sheriff Morgan Repays $37,500 For Statue Of Himself Bought With Taxpayer Money

August 19, 2021

Former Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan spent tens of thousands of dollars on a life-size bronze statue of himself before leaving office last year. And now Morgan has reimbursed the ECSO $37.500.

Morgan used $75,000 in taxpayer funds for statues from a New York state company. One was of Morgan in his sheriff’s uniform, complete with Air Force medals, while standing and saluting. The second was of former Escambia County Lt. Jason Potts and his K-9. They were ordered in April 2020, before Morgan left office. Two checks were written to cover the bill, one in April 2020 and the other in August 2020.

Morgan reportedly planned to place his 6-foot-4-inch statue on display near a fallen officer memorial in front of the Sheriff’s Office.

Current Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Wednesday that Morgan’s statue will not see the light of day.

“I have no intention of putting the statue of the former sheriff here in front of this building or anywhere in this building,” Simmons said.

You don’t typically make a statue of yourself, and have the taxpayers pay for it,” Simmons added. “I think it’s a bit of a waste of money. That’s why I tried to cancel it whenever I first found it. I think it’s a bit brash. I think it has an air of narcissism to it.”

The name tag has been removed from the statue of Potts will his K-9. With it’s generic appearance as a deputy and K-9, it may still be used somewhere at the ECSO>

But Morgan’s statue will remain in storage.

“Maybe we can melt it down and make use of it. But at this point that statue is not going to be erected here at the Escambia Co. Sheriff’s Office,” Simmons said.

Thursday, Morgan reimbursed ECSO general fund for the cost of his statue using a cashier’s check.

Images via WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.

Comments

132 Responses to “Former Sheriff Morgan Repays $37,500 For Statue Of Himself Bought With Taxpayer Money”

  1. Skrew on September 22nd, 2021 8:02 pm

    If one of use would have done something of that nature. We wouldn’t have the option to pay the money back. We would have been forced to plus some, after prosecution!!

  2. Dewayne on August 22nd, 2021 9:48 pm

    @ David Huie Green
    You are wrong.
    Let him have it..he paid for it?
    Sorry buddy, he reimbursed the money he TOOK from the county. It was not his money.
    Now if is wants it, let him write another check for 37k ..now he would be purchasing the vain thing with his money.

  3. David Huie Green on August 22nd, 2021 12:37 am

    REGARDING:
    ” “Maybe we can melt it down and make use of it. But at this point that statue is not going to be erected here at the Escambia Co. Sheriff’s Office,” Simmons said.

    “Thursday, Morgan reimbursed ECSO general fund for the cost of his statue using a cashier’s check.”

    Let him have it. He paid for it and would probably enjoy looking at it for years on end.

    David for fairness and happiness

  4. Perdido river rat on August 21st, 2021 6:55 pm

    @Mark both statues were $75,000.00 not $75,000.00 each.

  5. Hoosier Daddy on August 21st, 2021 10:00 am

    @ Beth,
    There are many more voters in the county, than ECSO employees. Who do you think knew him best?

  6. Beth on August 21st, 2021 8:54 am

    Why did Escambia County keep voting for him?? Stop your bitching!!

  7. Steve on August 21st, 2021 5:53 am

    Where is the interest accrued on that 37 , 5 ? Theft ?

  8. Steve on August 21st, 2021 5:45 am

    statue of myself that taxpayers paid for “ Why not ? “ Wow , he needs a wake up call !

  9. j in perdido on August 21st, 2021 2:15 am

    Morgan must have been the biggest threat to D.C. becoming the next mayor. Studer spent way more than $75k on making sure we got Superintendent Tim ( great training video)…..and the taxpayers are on the hook for at least $75mill on the ballpark (50% average attendance from Santa Rosa County) they built him.

  10. Just like that on August 20th, 2021 8:17 pm

    He can just scratch out a check for nearly $40,000? And cover that cost, just like that?!
    Making that kind of money as a sheriff and there is a shortage of officers??
    Hmmm..

  11. Mark on August 20th, 2021 7:57 pm

    Can’t figure out what’s more interesting here

    1. Dixie White Sheriff takes $75,000 in taxpayer money for a bronze statue of himself and another $75,000 in taxpayer money for a bronze statue of a K-9 cop.

    OR

    2. Dixie White Sheriff takes $75,000 in taxpayer money for a bronze statue of himself and another $75,000 in taxpayer money for a bronze statue of a K-9 cop – and hires firm in EVIL NEW YORK to do the job.

    That’s $150,000 in Dixie taxpayers’ money going

    NOT to Pensacola

    NOT to the Redneck Rivera.

    NOT to Florida

    NOT to Dixie

    BUT to EVIL NEW YORK.

  12. Patti Forrester on August 20th, 2021 6:14 pm

    David Morgan I hope you read this. I worked with your administration, it wasn’t a good one. SHAME on YOU… You were not a good leader.

  13. Steve on August 20th, 2021 4:44 pm

    Female Navy jogger murdered , anybody ever arrested ?

  14. Retired LEO on August 20th, 2021 4:14 pm

    If you think David Morgan was hard on crime, you’re misinformed. I worked for the man and he was hard on law enforcement, not crime. He had no formal law enforcement training and had never worked in any role remotely associated with law enforcement. He was a gate guard and that’s all nothing more! His command staff was full of people that were promoted above their ability and was larger than any Sheriff I worked for. David Morgan and his narcissistic personality did nothing to improve the agency and caused a turnover rate never seen before. If a media outlet will make the effort to investigate, it will come out. The man did more damage than good.

  15. Steve on August 20th, 2021 4:06 pm

    “school superintendent “ ? smith thinks the statue was a great idea , takes the spotlight off of his great ideas . Two great leaders that Escambia should have multiple statues of each ? Please voters don’t forget these political figures during our next elections , wake up before it’s too late . Thank you Morgan from smith !

  16. JOHN on August 20th, 2021 12:21 pm

    @ Steve. Morgan was “hard on crime”? Are you kidding me?

  17. William L on August 20th, 2021 11:07 am

    To all those in power saying that nothing can be done to prevent this from happening again, I say you’re LYING!!! I personally believe that you don’t want to do anything about it, that you want this loop hole in order to keep your inflated budgets and be able to spend how you want. It wouldn’t be hard to draft a new rule or even some sort of legislation to prevent this from happening. Doesn’t the county have a comptroller that can over see such purchases and that should be reviewing the spending of county departments?

  18. Steve on August 20th, 2021 10:25 am

    Now that the comments have slowed down, maybe folks will read this.

    IT WAS NO CRIME that he committed.

    Very poor taste ad done by the wrong person.

    But he has not broke the law.

    Also do your research and come back on how the members of Congress and Senate go in office and make millions. That’s the true sense of theft/.

    Also there is rampant waste in all levels of Govmint and most go under the radar.

    Again what he did was dumb and very self serving. His history there will always be a thing, but its how you left is what they remember.

    He was hard on crime. He also put out very good interviews related to any issue that had gotten the attention of the new.

    Also that rumor about him and some random girl is just that A RUMOR that ws found to be false completely.. People can say what they want, but when you just make up lies to prove your point, then the point is you just make stuff up to fit the narrative.

  19. Steve on August 20th, 2021 8:49 am

    Morgan threw away a little pocket change aka taxpayer money and our leaders say there is no way to stop this from happening again . 75 k , between friends ,no biggie !

  20. fisherman on August 20th, 2021 8:36 am

    First: Morgan must learn the proper hand salute. Second :Lets see the check Third: Place his statue at his home on front yard.

  21. Rufus Lowgun on August 20th, 2021 7:40 am

    I wonder if this had anything to do with his dropping out of the race for mayor.

  22. Dewayne on August 20th, 2021 6:48 am

    @ MR REALITY
    Jason’s father (Jerry)passed in 2010
    Jason and family are good people and dont do the gossip Jerry Springer circuit.
    Row you boat to shore sir.
    There is a hole in it.

  23. MR REALITY on August 20th, 2021 5:48 am

    Isn’t POTTS’ dad retired chief of PPD….you would think he would of said I’m not interested….

  24. Northendbratt on August 20th, 2021 5:45 am

    Well,I came here to say, but it looks like most of it has been said.Why was he elected so many times,if so many felt this way? Remember when we needed deputies in all schools and he said,”I don’t have the money “? I’m not sure, but I think 75,000.00 would have just about paid the salaries of two ECSO deputies for a year? And one more thing, the newly elected Sheriff was following DM around like a lost puppy before his election, and now he’s calling Morgan a narcissistic,I think we should keep our eyes open when election time rolls around, again?

  25. Jr on August 20th, 2021 5:41 am

    Hmmm, the man poses for a statue of HIMSELF to be placed in front of the Sheriffs office???? Yes, he even ordered the name plates to go along with the statues… I fully agree with everyone, including Sheriff Simmons, on this mans over blown ego. Wow! This man was an embarrassment to our County and our men/women in green. I don’t even know how he was re elected but he was. He’s paid the money back for his statue so that’s that. I do like the ideas of melting the statue down and have it used for other MORE DESERVING purposes…the idea of a monument for General Chappie James is way more deserving than this clown. I’m not going to get into my personal feelings about this or this man because I think CLOWN sums it up. Using taxpayers monies for this is(should be) a crime and as much of a temper tantrum this man pulled a few years back…he should be charged/tried/convicted of mis use of county TAXPAYER funds… I’m thankful that we now have a SUPPORTIVE and TRUE SHERIFF to instill good values in our Sheriffs Department…

  26. Tiger on August 20th, 2021 5:20 am

    Morgan does NOT even know the proper hand position in a salute.
    The hand should not be cupped like Morgan did. He has always been about himself. Glad he is gone. His deputies did not even like him.

  27. Stumpknocker on August 20th, 2021 2:23 am

    I’m sure the local dog park could use a new fire hydrant for the dogs.

  28. Bewildered on August 20th, 2021 1:30 am

    We don’t see anything wrong with erecting bronze statues of George Floyd who was nothing but a thief and criminal – so what’s the big deal? Politics…..

  29. Dewayne on August 19th, 2021 10:44 pm

    @ Tony Wiggins
    He was not honoring men in blue.
    He was honoring himself on the taxpayers dime.
    And if you think this is not fiscal,ethical and moral bankruptcy..you are blind in one eye and cant see out of the other.

    Good luck with that mentality.

  30. Mark on August 19th, 2021 10:38 pm

    David Morgan..you were right. This isnt Mayberry any more
    Happy retirement Barney Morgan

  31. Tony Wiggins on August 19th, 2021 7:28 pm

    Come on now, I got an idea! Looks like that NY company needs to reimburse ECSO because that statute looks horrible. I didn’t know Sheriff Morgan had such long fingers. Hahaha

    *David Morgan* for *President*. I thought he did a great job! I don’t see anything wrong with honoring our Men in Blue. I bet anything his heart and mind was in the right place especially what’s been happening to the thin blue line these past couple of years. Maybe should’ve been voted on but hey. It’s a done deal now…

  32. Charles Osgood on August 19th, 2021 7:13 pm

    Which is worse?

    Ashton Heyward…mayor

    David Morgan…Sheriff

    Two clowns…Only…

    In Escambia County FL

  33. Rhibson on August 19th, 2021 6:40 pm

    Hey been knowing you alot of years. You gonna stand up and make him pay or just brush it under the mat. Chip this a criminal offense and you know what is right. Chip you have been doing great for this county. Don’t let stupid crap bite you man. He blew all this taxpayers money. Man I am sorry but you gotta answer for him. Please don’t let this go.

  34. Duke of Wawbeek on August 19th, 2021 6:20 pm

    I fail to see the resemblence?

    Someone had to model for the statue, Morgan is just as good as any other.

    A nice monument to honor our fallen heroes and the living.

    He paid the money back, appreciate the memorial and what it represents.

  35. John R Stanley on August 19th, 2021 6:08 pm

    Douche bag move

  36. Anonymous on August 19th, 2021 6:02 pm

    David Morgan says …THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE…. I bought you a statue of myself with your

  37. Read closely on August 19th, 2021 5:57 pm

    Definitely not taking up for this guy. But so many of the comments want him to pay back 75k as if they misread the article. 75k was for 2 separate statues (one of just him another of an officer and k9). Not that we needed either! But since it appears most people mainly have an issue with the statue of Morgan, we should keep in mind that his statue cost 37.5k and not 75k alone. Again not trying to make him look any better. Just want to make sure everyone reads this clearly.

  38. Andy on August 19th, 2021 5:49 pm

    The county should auction it off. Maybe raise money for charity with it. That could be an entertaining thing to own. Cigar store Indian. Artificial reef. Water fountain. Coat hanger. Christmas decor…

  39. Steve on August 19th, 2021 5:42 pm

    We need our politicians to pass a law enhancing the penalties of theft if committed by politicians. That doesn’t make sense ! Forget I even thought that !

  40. Master Mechanic on August 19th, 2021 5:05 pm

    Mis- use of Government funds ?????? Doesn’t stand at attention properly,nor render hand salute properly,needs haircut…..& finally wears military medals with civilian attire.They think they’re military…..they are not.If in doubt sheriff read AR 670-1

  41. Kenneth Kirk on August 19th, 2021 4:57 pm

    Sheriff Morgan, the honorable thing to do, would be to send the check and request that the statue be placed at the Fl Sheriff’s Association in Tallahassee, also removing your name, placing a plaque stating “Escambia County Sheriff’s Dept” paid for by private funds.

  42. tate dad on August 19th, 2021 4:29 pm

    Now that’s a humdinger of statue,,LOL

  43. Charles on August 19th, 2021 4:25 pm

    The statue would make a perfect fishing reef..it would attract tons of alewife.

  44. Steve on August 19th, 2021 4:25 pm

    If Morgan is charged criminally ,, I wonder if I our new sheriff is going to get uniformed up and meet the jury panel at the judicial center on his jury selection day , just wondering ?

  45. Bill on August 19th, 2021 3:55 pm

    lol

    Morgan,

    You’re a fruitcake!

    This is like an evil cop cliche from bad a 1970’s comedy

    Honestly, the laughter at what a sad sack he is worth the 75 grand

  46. Alexj on August 19th, 2021 3:39 pm

    I like the statue and I think it honors a great sheriff. To bad he is gone. I hope our new sheriff will be just as good.

  47. Steve on August 19th, 2021 3:38 pm

    If Larry would have let me dirty and dishonest like our completion we might have won ,he didn’t let me .

  48. Steve on August 19th, 2021 3:17 pm

    This “panhandler” campaigned for Larry !

  49. Donald W Cooper on August 19th, 2021 3:13 pm

    It is amazing all the people that hate Morgan coming out of the woodwork. a lot of people must have liked him because he sure got elected enough times.

  50. Leaders on August 19th, 2021 3:01 pm

    David Morgan for Mayor!!!

  51. J on August 19th, 2021 2:43 pm

    When I saw this my reaction was simply “ w…..t…..”

    I agree with other commenters that this revelation is either the reason or one of the real reasons he dropped so quickly out of the mayor race.

    I actually love the new Sheriffs “maybe we will melt it down” to get some kind of use out of it comment. No love lost there I think.

    But just paying back tax payer money that may have been used outside the bounds of discretion limits should never squash any investigation into possible misconduct. This needs to be investigated and the results made public whether there was a crime or misconduct or whether this doesn’t constitute it.

    But jeez….. buying a statue of yourself…..omg…

  52. Panhandlers on August 19th, 2021 2:38 pm

    TWO-FACED PANHANDLERS!

    Sure he’s arrogant, but he wasn’t before?

  53. Kevin Vickrey on August 19th, 2021 2:18 pm

    Don’t forget he was the genius that had our Helicopter Unit disbanded.

  54. Steve on August 19th, 2021 2:09 pm

    I was at the ECSD get together in Beulah this past weekend , looks like the moral at the department has improved tremendously , I donated to the Sheriffs Foundation , looked like a good foundation for the entire department . I got a shirt , didn’t see any ECSD baby blankets anywhere , but I did see a lot of babies in strollers .

  55. my tax dollars on August 19th, 2021 1:37 pm

    State Attorney’s office should dig deep into this and other things.
    How much has he mis-used in the last 12 years????????????

    He was always crying about his budget and we got suckered into that.

    what would Morgan have done to a deputy that did this???????????

  56. Anne on August 19th, 2021 1:33 pm

    “Thursday morning on NewsTalk 1370 WCOA, Morgan told host Rick Outzen that he will be writing a check to reimburse the ECSO general fund for the cost of his statue.”

    May I suggest that Morgan present a Bank Draft rather than a “Personal Check” to repay the ECSO for this screwed up deal….
    Don’t trust him as far as I could throw that statue.
    Morgan was not ever a “Sworn Law Enforcement Officer” in Florida.

    Honor and Respect to those who work in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
    Do not allow the actions of this unbalanced individual cause you any concern.
    WE NEED You and Support You…..

  57. Cheetahgirl on August 19th, 2021 1:15 pm

    Way to go Jody.State Attorney’s office should take his advice.
    Maybe YOU should run for Mayor.

  58. RJ on August 19th, 2021 1:00 pm

    I’ve stood next to that little slimeball enough times to know that 6’4” isn’t “life size”.

  59. Gman on August 19th, 2021 12:49 pm

    DB the $35,000 is the Sheriffs Foundation run by and funded by local businessmen and Chip sits as a board member and everything is voted on, not just one narcissist rubber stamping tax payer money like Morgan did.

  60. Willis on August 19th, 2021 12:44 pm

    What ??????
    The same people that kept voting him in now criticize him……

    Only Bob c has it right.

    Fireplugs for the K9’s !!!!

  61. JOHN on August 19th, 2021 12:38 pm

    Just hope that this doesn’t get swept under the rug.

  62. JD on August 19th, 2021 12:27 pm

    I thought ol big Dave couldn’t get any goofier than when he said it was witchcraft and blue moon on the Klondike Rd murders. Now he has topped that. Unbelievable.

  63. Gman on August 19th, 2021 12:20 pm

    Lets see if he really writes that check, probably knows if he does it’ll keep him out of jail.

  64. db on August 19th, 2021 11:41 am

    What an egotistical person David Morgan turned out to be or was from the start. He should have to pay every penny of this back with interest. No one person should be allowed to spend this much money without someone else signing off on it. Where is the check and balance for our county. Why is there not a low cap on spending without going before a board. If our new sheriff did spend 35,000 for blankets with his name on it like I read, that too falls right a long with this waste. Cameras, vest, and many other equipment could have been bought with this money. Some one needs to do an audit of where our tax dollars are being spent without a say so from others

  65. Marshall on August 19th, 2021 11:05 am

    @SueB

    Yes, he did this himself. He had funds that he used that didn’t require any board to approve. Articles have stated only Morgan, his assistant and a financial person at the Department were the only ones that knew.

  66. Darrel on August 19th, 2021 11:03 am

    Here is a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar with his image of bronze. Wowzers!!

  67. Steve on August 19th, 2021 10:57 am

    N E .com can start putting their criminal stories and political stories in the same article

  68. northofI10 on August 19th, 2021 10:40 am

    So many folks were fooled by this scam artist and there were a few at the SO that kissed his butt and profited from his arrogance and fed his ego. Not surprised one bit by this being exposed and may be another reason the iconic legend in his own mind dropped out of the mayors race. He was never an accredited law enforcement officer and was a disgrace to his military service and terms in office. This was intentional and criminal and the disgraced sheriff needs to settle up and have some consequences for his betrayal of the County. To use his word: He is a real “HUMDINGER”. Davey Boy Karma is a real _____!

  69. Hypocrite on August 19th, 2021 10:33 am

    He was quick to threaten ,fire and arrest the people under him for less when they didn’t agree with.. let karma teach him a lesson.. lock him up… for whatever violation they can find.

  70. Mary Gilliard on August 19th, 2021 10:25 am

    75,000 dollars would have bought a lot of radios and body cams. He should have to pay Escambia County back for this Narrsisitic act.

  71. Hard working deputy on August 19th, 2021 10:12 am

    I’ve known every ECSO sheriff since Vince Sealy. I’ve never met a more arrogant man than David Morgan. He never put handcuffs on a single person in Escambia County that I’m aware of. When he ran for sheriff before his first term he was bragging about helping launch DEA spy satellites while he was in the Air Force. Unfortunately for him, one of the people he was bragging to was, unknown to him at the time, a DEA group supervisor that knew DEA had no spy satellites. The man is a con artist.

  72. Wharf Rat on August 19th, 2021 10:12 am

    David Morgan was not a certified LEO. He was a political opportunist who liked to be seen and heard. He never made a solitary arrest, never faced or solved a family domestic issue, never was involved in a road side confrontation,(although, he had a face off with the Secret Service over wearing his sidearm into a Trump gathering at the Civic Center,) never was involved in any of the regular activities real LEOs incur everyday. He, with the help of some of his close underlings destroyed the morale and careers of many dedicated ECSO members. The crime is he pulled the wool over the eyes of Escambia County voters for three terms. Good riddance!

  73. Matthew on August 19th, 2021 10:10 am

    You can put a 10k suit on a hobo….he is still a hobo
    A disgrace
    He lives in a house of mirrors

  74. ConcernedCitizen on August 19th, 2021 10:04 am

    It’s a good thing he didn’t become Mayor. He would have renamed the city and we would be living in Morgantown

  75. Steve on August 19th, 2021 9:23 am

    does this mean the statue the State of Florida paid for , of ME , is not going to be placed in the city park ? WOW ?

  76. Steve Perkins on August 19th, 2021 9:08 am

    Should have to pay every penny back . Also against the UCMJ to wear his military awards and decorations on his police uniform . Should be brought back on active duty . Punished under the UCMJ and released again . What do you think of that Morgan ? Bet you didn’t think anyone would brink that up did you ?

  77. What.in.the.world on August 19th, 2021 9:08 am

    Someone needs to investigate how this got paid. Sure, if this guy proposed to get his own statue plus others, it HAD to be approved by multiple tiers of folks.
    OR has Escambia become a mirror of Century where the old guy did whatever, whenever he wanted and the sheep just followed along. Unbelievable!

  78. Beach Boy on August 19th, 2021 9:07 am

    Spoke with Chip Simmons a few months ago and suggested they install traffic cameras at all major intersections (similar to Gulf Breeze cameras) to reduce running red lights and wrecks and collect fines from those running red lights to pay for the cameras. He advised me that it would have to be run by the County Commissioners first. $75K won’t pay for all the cameras…..BUT it’s a start. Let’s do this!!!!!

  79. Jody on August 19th, 2021 9:05 am

    This is a total display of arrogance. The State Attorney’s Office should charge Morgan with Official Misconduct under the state statue covering public officials. Morgan was a public servant at the time of the misconduct and knowingly committed this act for his own benefit and his actions were not committed through misconduct or ignorance on his part. A PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. Morgan should be made to do the following:
    1. Repay the $75,000.00 back to the taxpayers of Escambia County
    2. Fined $ 5,000.00 under the Official Misconduct Statue
    3. Forfeit all retirement benefits obtained during his terms in office.
    4. Remove his picture from the wall at the Escambia Sheriff’s Office where those who
    who have served as our Sheriff’s with distinction to the citizens of Escambia
    County.
    I guess we all know the true reason he removed his name from the ballot seeking the office of Mayor .

    I

  80. William 2 on August 19th, 2021 8:56 am

    Personally, I think that the county lawyers should look into Mr. Morgan reimbursing the county for the wasteful spending of tax payer funds. I mean, how can the Sheriff get away with this type of expenditure? Isn’t there any oversight of how funds are spent? Particularly, when the item being purchased is a personal expense and not a necessity for the Sheriff’s office!!! I handled millions in government funds for the military and had to justify each expenditure, why isn’t the Sheriff’s office held to a higher standard when it comes to spending taxpayers money?

  81. John Doe on August 19th, 2021 8:56 am

    good on chip for decrying this thing

  82. JTV on August 19th, 2021 8:54 am

    The limp wristed salute says it all.

  83. David Donaldson on August 19th, 2021 8:43 am

    A Caesar in his own eyes! Perhaps Nero?

  84. Terrell Owens on August 19th, 2021 8:37 am

    I LOVE ME SOME ME!!!

  85. Daniel on August 19th, 2021 8:37 am

    Its called theft!

  86. Alison on August 19th, 2021 8:36 am

    I agree this is ridiculous— but a little like the pot calling the kettle black. Look up a recent article where Chip spent $35,000 buying baby blankets with the ESCO logo AND his name Chip Simmons emblazoned on it. Every ESCO employee with a new baby will get a Chip Simmons blanket. These guys need to stop..

  87. Dewayne on August 19th, 2021 8:35 am

    Simmons said it best “Brash Narcissist ”
    Me…”mirror mirror on the wall”
    This is really sick and sad.

  88. Mike on August 19th, 2021 8:33 am

    They should weld a little loop on it and he should be forced to use it as a key chain. Gene Valentino is a happy man right now!

  89. Mike on August 19th, 2021 8:29 am

    Now this is a real humdinger!

  90. James leigh on August 19th, 2021 8:22 am

    I think the county should collect the cost of the statue from Morgan, he used tax payers money for personal use. The budget for the sheriff’s office is to be used only for things that would accentuate their program. A life size statue of Morgan has no use. Let him buy it and place it in his front yard!!! He should be charged for using tax payers money for personal use!!

  91. sarah hilson on August 19th, 2021 8:17 am

    How Arrogant is that, There are some many other areas of concerned that money could be used for; like the homeless issue in our city, unsolved Murders, teenage mentorship programs; just to name a few.

  92. retired on August 19th, 2021 8:14 am

    This Sheriff has always been arrogant.

    Need to charge him with misuse of taxpayers funds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Maybe make him pay back at 4 time the amount, $300,000.00

    Why not make a statue of every employee, that has been there 12 plus years????

  93. Emily Fouche' on August 19th, 2021 8:06 am

    This is unreal. Chip, please let us taxpayers have the statue so we can put it somewhere and throw rotten food and fruit at it. Remember when Morgan wouldn’t let our officers escort funerals or work at the fair because he was mad at the commissioners for not approving his budget?

  94. River Rat on August 19th, 2021 8:04 am

    Turn it into a Reef out in the Gulf. He should be made to pay the money back. What a waste!

  95. tg on August 19th, 2021 7:59 am

    General Morgan loves himself.

  96. TB on August 19th, 2021 7:55 am

    I sure would like to hear Mr. Morgan’s explanation for this, we have to be missing something here, on the surface this looks bizarre.
    Everyone deserves their chance to explain themselves, if he has no logical business explanation for this he should compensate the County back with the amount of the statue out of his own pocket and take the statue home with him.
    This action should be pursued immediately.

  97. Paul on August 19th, 2021 7:54 am

    I always knew he was a narcissist.
    This is just more proof.

  98. JustWondering on August 19th, 2021 7:48 am

    Was the fallen officer a former employee of Morgan’s? Was it possible there was a deeper meaning to this? Everyone always looks for the bad in things. Why can’t it simply be honoring someone?

    It’s a statue, if anyone in the general public saw it, would anyone really know who it is?
    Just an officer saluting a fellow officer.

    Not me!

  99. Olin Schultz on August 19th, 2021 7:40 am

    Well, I wonder if our wonderful Former Sheriff got wind of this and that is the true reason for his withdrawal from the Mayor’s Race? I worked for him and he was certainly a strange character! I bet they could use it as a reef on the Patti Dive Barge. It could be labeled “the Bumbling Idiot or better yet, put it on his door step with a bill from Escambia County!

  100. Steve on August 19th, 2021 7:36 am

    WHAT…………………………..??????????

    That money could have been spent on a lot better things.

    Who other than Morgan approved the expense?

    All expenses above a certain amount for non- law enforcement use should require 3 approvals to get cleared. One form the Sheriff, the other from his number 2 and then the top financial person that writes the checks.

    Any one in finance would have said THIS IS NOT A GOOD USE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY….

    Think of it as 2 patrol cars or a LOT of equipment.

    Now MELT IT DOWN and make a memorial of all the officers that gave all..

  101. ProudArmyParent on August 19th, 2021 7:36 am

    What an egotistical piece of crap David Morgan has just proven himself to be! Abuse of tax payer funds. Send the man a bill for 75K and if he doesn’t pay it take him to court. After the bill is paid he can have the statue to sit in his yard for the birds to poop on.

  102. SueB on August 19th, 2021 7:33 am

    So what. He didn’t do this by himself. There is always a committee that approves or disapprove. I would rather have statues to honor people vs statues of criminals that caused hate, riots, etc.

  103. Susie on August 19th, 2021 7:30 am

    What person commissions their own statue then wants the Sheriff’s Office to memorialize it on their grounds? One that thinks very highly of themselves without regard for the general public who’s paying for it. Talk about narcissistic!!! That’s laughable and sad all at the same time.

  104. DLo on August 19th, 2021 7:29 am

    Morgan had a good run as sheriff, I agreed with most of what he did. But he tarnished his legacy with his conduct after the election and this statue is completely ridiculous and self absorbed. I’m not mad, Mr. Morgan, just disappointed.

  105. Jim on August 19th, 2021 7:21 am

    Wouldn’t the sheriff willfully destroying public property be a criminal offense and removal from office upon conviction?
    How much would a criminal trial and special election cost Escambia County taxpayers to replace the sheriff?

  106. Concerned on August 19th, 2021 7:15 am

    Now the truth comes out. All along people were wondering if he was a good sheriff person politician etc!!! Now ya know there were a lot of things he did people didn’t know about and that comes from a lot of people he worked with and other people outside the job!!! As it goes you will see the other things he did will surface!!!

  107. Otto on August 19th, 2021 7:13 am

    All that is missing is a corn cob pipe and sunglasses, truly a legend in his own mind, “American Caesar 2.0.”

  108. Tony G on August 19th, 2021 7:11 am

    What a HORRIBLE salute?

  109. J-THE-G on August 19th, 2021 7:00 am

    Well when most govt agencies must either spend the entire budget or have the budget cut the next year, I honestly expect a lot of this kind of wasteful spending.

  110. Sherry Ewy on August 19th, 2021 6:54 am

    Whaaat a nut! And yes, he needs to pay that back!

  111. Retired LEO on August 19th, 2021 6:51 am

    This is just the tip of the iceberg. Please look into the “assignment pay”, that he gave himself, putting his salary on the level of Sheriffs of much larger counties. Look into the size and cost of his command staff, versus other Sheriffs he criticized. Morgan did a lot of damage to the agency that will take years to correct. Time for the media to start investigating, He can’t strong arm you any longer, citizens deserve to know the truth.

  112. Steve on August 19th, 2021 6:46 am

    “ clowns to the left , jokers to the right “

  113. Darrel on August 19th, 2021 6:38 am

    I suppose mr. Morgan will be moving out of state pronto.

  114. Tax Payer on August 19th, 2021 6:37 am

    Sorta like the money that has been thrown @ ECAT…..

  115. Yard dog on August 19th, 2021 6:34 am

    What’s sad is this story doesn’t embarrass him at all. He is probably offended that the folks of Escambia county would have a problem with him spending our money. This is definitely a Statue of a Fool.

  116. RW on August 19th, 2021 6:21 am

    CRIMINAL

  117. Brenda on August 19th, 2021 6:21 am

    They should nake home pau every penny back useing tax payers money

  118. Rhonda Watson on August 19th, 2021 6:16 am

    He is exactly why we don’t trust government. What a pathetic excuse for a sheriff and a human being. He should be charged criminally. Keep digging. There is a lot more to know about suspect Morgan…..

  119. Told ya so on August 19th, 2021 6:12 am

    Thank you Chip Simmons because weve seen enough of this fool to last a lifetime. I hope this putz is forced to pay back every cent of that money from his own pocket. Then he can take his statue and put it in his own front yard or shove it up his butt or you know whatever. Wouldn’t that be a “humdinger.”

  120. Chris J Paul on August 19th, 2021 6:09 am

    lol

  121. Gregory Mcintosh on August 19th, 2021 6:09 am

    Well is he gonna be held accountable for this?

  122. Brian on August 19th, 2021 5:49 am

    WHAT?!? Sheriff Morgan a narcissist? NO. You don’t say. This does however set a pretty high bar

  123. Concerned citizen on August 19th, 2021 5:44 am

    Whew, thank you Chip Simmons for seeing that statue for what Morgan intended. Definitely narcissism at its highest level. I’m guessing this is why Morgan really dropped out of the Mayor’s race! I think Morgan should have to pay the county back!!!

  124. bob c on August 19th, 2021 5:40 am

    Dear Lord, will we Ever be Free of this man’s Ego??
    Sheriff Chip, here’s a suggestion, have ‘the statue’ melted down and recast into a few Fireplugs then put those into the K-9 Training Area for the use of those noble dogs.
    It would be a very appropriate use for them and “Me-Me-Me-Morgan” will still be useful.
    Thank goodness for the withdrawal from Mayor of Pensacola, at least folks in the City will not have to deal with him.
    bob c for K-9 Relief Stations…

  125. Steve on August 19th, 2021 5:35 am

    This needs to be referred to the State Attorney’s Office for review to see if he violated any laws by using taxpayer’s money. It sounds like pure “theft”.

  126. Native on August 19th, 2021 5:20 am

    Is anyone surprised? One doesn’t need a statue to confirm the former sheriff’s narcissism. Morgan’s main goal while in office was self aggrandizement.

  127. bama on August 19th, 2021 4:59 am

    I’m almost at a loss for words. I knew he had a self love problem when he wore his Air Force medals on his sheriffs uniform. He needs to repay the county every penny that was spent on the statues.
    He should be ashamed of himself.

  128. Steve on August 19th, 2021 4:45 am

    to all the taxpayers out there struggling to put a roof on your house , no worries , just watch smiths video and salute Morgan’s statue !

  129. No Surprise Here on August 19th, 2021 4:11 am

    No surprise here. Morgan had a need to be seen – his TV show and billboards proves that. Perhaps the news of the statue is what led to his withdrawal from the mayoral race.

  130. gmp on August 19th, 2021 3:53 am

    The man couldn’t even render a proper salute for his statue. Gee, you’d think with him wearing more medals and fancy braid than even General MacArthur had he would know how to salute properly. I think they should take that $75,000 out of his retirement.

  131. Funny on August 19th, 2021 2:51 am

    Must have been under the spell of the Blue Moon. What a humdinger.

  132. mnon on August 19th, 2021 2:30 am

    Don’t like him, never liked him, this is no shocker he would do this. He should face misappropriation charges and forced to put the 75k in tax payer money back in the coffers used on this ugly pile.