Two law enforcement officials who were allies when questioned about their interactions with an Army reservist who killed 18 people in Maine’s bloodiest massacre are running for sheriff.
The four-term Democratic incumbent Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry and his Republican opponent, patrol Sgt. Aaron Skolfield, do not want the mass shooting that injured 13 to define their careers. But their link is unavoidable as they approach a painful anniversary less than two weeks before Election Day.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ independent commission and the governor criticized Skolfield for failing to use Maine’s yellow flag law to take Robert Card II into protective custody and remove his guns during a mental health crisis.
Skolfield said Card’s refusal to answer the door tied his hands during the welfare check: Skolfield said knocking on the door would have been illegal since the legislation required face-to-face connection. Card lived in Sagadahoc County’s Bowdoin. Shot in Lewiston, a neighboring county.
Merry, Skolfield’s boss, understood the independent commission’s scrutiny.
“I felt I defended him to the extent I could,” the sheriff said.
Over 37,000 people live in 370 square miles and 20 full-time law enforcement officers in the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.
Merry earlier claimed this term will be his last. The 66-year-old said he still has goals after a health setback, family loss, and the Lewiston tragedy last year.
Skolfied said Merry should stand down. He said Merry has said she doesn’t want to be the aging law officer who doesn’t know when to retire.
Merry worked with Brunswick Police to acquire a mental health liaison while on the Maine Behavioral Health board as sheriff.
The Lewiston shootings occurred after that person had been hired but had not started work. He now recognizes that one person had too much work, therefore he’s looking for someone to fill that function for the county.
Merry promised to increase regional jail services. He also developed a deputies’ mental health and resiliency program. He hired one deputy last year and is employing two more.
Skolfield is pleased with the hiring and wants additional deputies, but Merry said it’s hard to convince county commissioners when service calls remain flat.
Skolfield supporter Darryl Groh, from his hometown, said the patrol sergeant was unfairly blamed for the Lewiston tragedy.
Aaron would do well. He’s results-driven, Groh noted. “He’s honest. He doesn’t sugarcoat things, which has irritated many. He communicates honestly.”
Skolfield alleged the governor politicized the contest by frequently mentioning him at a news conference about the independent commission’s findings. This freed Skolfield to defend his behavior more strongly.
The wellness check followed a warning that Card would “shoot up” his Army reserve unit headquarters. When he visited Card’s Bowdoin home, Skolfield didn’t know about Card’s “hit list,” mental health issue, or medical advise to avoid guns.
Skolfield expressed concern to military leaders, Card’s family, and others despite feeling the threat was understated. He worked on it three days.
Skolfield was frustrated when multiple witnesses to the independent panel investigating the incident contradicted his memory. He also argued the 215-page panel report omitted key details about his activities.
He said, “Reading the report isn’t entirely accurate because there’s ample evidence that the commission absolutely left out of the report, which changes the whole tone,”
Merry wished Skolfield had known more about Card’s mental illness.
“That’s an entirely different scenario, which I think would have had a different response,” he said.
Merry was recovering from staph infection after surgery and serving as legal guardian for his brother, who died last year in a vehicle accident. He used his personal computer on Sept. 15, 2023, but he didn’t remember Skolfield’s welfare check writeup. After Card’s shooting spree, he learned the specifics.
One change occurred.
Before the Lewiston massacre, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office hadn’t invoked the yellow flag law to seize psychiatric patients’ guns. Overall, the statute is invoked twice a day statewide. Sagadahoc used it 18 times.
Both men noted the fact that state lawmakers had to hurry to alter the yellow flag statute after the disaster spoke for itself.
On Election Day, voters decide. Vicki Sprague, an undecided voter, said the presidential contest may distract many voters like her.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and always respected the police, fire, and sheriff’s departments. They did great, she said. She asked, “The recent thing that happened?” referring to the catastrophe. There were many errors. No idea. So there I am.”