Galveston Chief Says Cops Arrest 'Tarnished The Badge'

GALVESTON, TX — The Galveston Police Department arrested one of their own officers on several felony charges related to organized crime and evidence tampering, officials said Friday.

Officer John Rutherford, 40, was arrested Friday at the Galveston County Justice Center, and is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, misuse of official information and evidence tampering.

He is being held in the Galveston County Jail, with a judge setting his bail at $750,000.

While Rutherford was being arrested, FBI an Galveston Police SWAT served a search warrant in the 5600 block of Lafitte Road and arrested Salvatore Rivera, 32, narcotics possession and distribution of prescription drugs.

Investigators believe that Rutherford was providing Rivera information to allow for the free distribution of prescription drugs on Galveston Island.

Galveston Police Chief Vernon Hale, who was visibliy angered after hearing of the arrest, said called Rutherford's arrest at the Galveseton County Justice Center, "appropriate."

"For any officer anywhere in this country, this tarnishes the badge," Hale said.

In his anger, Hale said the department shares the betrayal of and disapointment of Rutherford's arrested, and vowed to do his best to win back the public trust.

"We, Galveston police officers, are disgraced that this could have occured," he said. Cop or no cop, this individual must be brought to justice."

Hale said the department became aware of Rutherford's alleged involvement while conducting an unrelated narcotics investigation into Rivera's alleged narcotics activities

During their investigation, Hale said investigators learned that Rutherford, who'd been with the department since 2003, was allegedly involved in the distribution and transportion of prescription drugs.

The investigation, conducted in partnership with the FBI and DEA, revealed that Rutherford allegedly provided Rivera with classified information about investigations, officer locations, working assignments and patterns.

"It allowed these people to work with impunity, and not be capturedby the honest men and women of the Galveston Police Department," Hale said. "In my opinion they put these officer's safety at risk."

While Rutherford is in jail, he is also on administrative leave while the Galveston Police Department investigates these allegations.

Jeff Murdoch, president of the Galveseton Municipal Police Association, said the were also shocked saddend upon hearing of the allegations against Rutherford.

"We know that in order to be effective and provide the best possible service to our citizens, there needs to be trust in our law enforcement," he said. "Without that, we are ineffective. We support a full and thorough investigation in this matter and we hope justice will be served."

Image: Galveston PD

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