The same day he was placed back on active duty after serving a short time on administrative leave, Highland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Brandon Stratton was placed back on administrative Tuesday, sheriff Donnie Barrera confirmed Wednesday morning.
Barrera said Stratton is being paid while he is on leave “right now.”
“I can’t say anymore than that at this point,” Barrera said.
Stratton was originally placed on administrative leave on Thursday, March 7. He was returned to regular duty the morning of Tuesday, March 12, but was placed back on administrative leave later the same evening, Barrera said.
Stratton said Wednesday morning that he did not want to make any comment on the situation.
A longtime local law enforcement officer who is in his 10th year as chief deputy at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Stratton is running against Randy Sanders, who has served 40-plus years as a local law enforcement officer and currently serves as an investigator with the Highland County Task Force that is run out of the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office, for sheriff in the March 19 primary election.
Barrera is retiring from the position. His term in office expires Jan. 5, 2025.
On Wednesday afternoon, Barrera, who had previously endorsed Stratton in the campaign for sheriff, said, “Effective immediately, I am withdrawing my endorsement for any candidate for Highland County sheriff.”
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522.
