Arkansas Sheriff Todd Wright heard audio berthing woman talking to a black man after resigning

An Arkansas Delta County sheriff has resigned under pressure after recording a man he identified as a racist rant to go viral. After reports of a five-minute audio recording broadcast on Facebook this week by Pine Bluff Commercial, Arkansas County Sheriff Todd Wright resigned Friday at the request of the county’s quorum court.

Recording One is of a man who gets upset after using the racial solution nine times that he talked to a black man at a grocery store with a woman. Overall, the woman calls the man “toad”.

The county’s top elected administrator, County Judge Thomas Best, said the quorum court decided Thursday to ask to resign after circulation on Facebook the day before the recording began.

“It makes me sad that anyone would disrespect God’s creation in this way,” Best said. “By no means will I condemn this action.”

CBS affiliate KTHV reports that Wright made a statement in court, but initially “after seeking an opportunity to put his cases in order,” a local pastor persuaded him to resign immediately. After about an hour, he swung his badge and gun into the gallery with a few applause.

Outside the courtyard, many expressed happiness with the resignation, while wondering how much change Wright’s resignation would bring.

“Let’s clean the city,” said Consukela McKinsey, as she stood with her college two sons. “Clean the city, so we can let our children live free.”

Chief Deputy Randy Bateman will serve as a replacement or sheriff until a special election is held, Best said.

Wright was with the Sheriff’s Office for 26 years, with the last four elected as sheriffs.