Wrongly Accused

How many of you have ever thought about loosing your careers, your homes, your freedom; all because of a false accusation? As Cops we are constantly judged by public perception for decisions that we have to make. Now imagine that accuser having the right connections, and embellishing his story to not only get you in trouble at your job, but getting you sent to prison? That is exactly what is happening to Rick Farnham, a former Pinellas and Hillsborough Deputy.

Rick was deployed to Pensacola in the aftermath of a destructive hurricane. In uniform, he and a Santa Rosa Deputy were checking a vacated home, when they were confronted by an angry neighbor, who believed they were looters, and didn't take a second to recognize that he was firing his handgun, not at criminals, but at uniformed Law Enforcement Officers. Rick deployed his taser, and subsequently subdued the man. A struggle ensued involving the man's angry wife, as well as other angry neighbors coming to his defense. The intricate details of this struggle are what is being argued, however all parties have agreed that the man fired his handgun, and was tasered. In a surreal decision, the State Attorney arbitrarily "no filed" on the man. Coincidentally, the man is a retired NY City Corrections Captain, and his neighbor is a retired high ranking officer from the military. Each of them used connections to file a Civil Rights complaint agaist Rick. The Pinellas Sheriff's Office defended Rick through the entire process. Unbelievably, Rick was convicted for a Misdemeanor Federal Civil Rights Violation. He has been sentenced to 12 months in Federal Prison. He resigned from the Sheriff's Office after the verdict, and is now loosing everything.

In addition to the sentence, Rick was ordered to pay $2500.00 in restitution. He also has a civil trial coming up for litigation. I realize that there are those who do not like Rick, or choose to believe the other sides version of events. This post isn't here for bashing Rick, please use another thread to voice that. For those of you who are as disgusted as I am that this has happened, an Account has been set up at all Bank of America Branches, for Non tax deductible donations. Even a $1.00 bill will help. If you want to donate money, go to any Bank of America branch, simply put the account number on the front of the envelope and whatever amount you wish to donate, and drop it in the night deposit box anonymously. The Bank of America Account number is 229005152048.

Thanks in advance for your help

Why don't you ask the PBA to get a transcript of the trial and then you will know what took place.The sheriff refuses to investigate a complaint.The FBI starts an investgation and finds probable cause.Turns it over to the DOJ and US Attorney. They go before a grand jury and Farnham is indicted.They then go to trial and he is found guilty by a jury of all charges. So all these people are wrong except Farnham! By the way his partner that night pleaded the fifth. The old man he kicked and tased never fired his weapon or displayed it ( established at the trial). This transcript would be a good training tool for all concerned.

I was not at the trial either and no nothing about the case other than what has been said in public. I did find it very strange that the SRSO deputy wouldn't testify for the accused. That was a very big statement as to what actually happened, in my opinion.

I live in P-cola and the reason Bill Eddins didnt prosecute is because he is PRO LE and is a sorry piece of sh**.

sounds like another disgruntled, loser, citizen who blames cops for all of his/her problems.Live your life right and you don't have to worry about cops.