Monday, Robert Cornwell, Executive Director of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association (BSSA), demanded that the online fundraising platform GoFundMe immediately shut down multiple fundraisers supporting Rodney Hinton, Jr.
In a statement released on Monday, Cornwell said, “On behalf of the law enforcement community in Ohio and across the nation, we implore GoFundMe to remove these fundraising efforts for an assassin. It is an affront to the brave men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.”
Hinton was charged with aggravated murder after using a vehicle to intentionally hit and kill Deputy Larry Henderson while Henderson was working a traffic detail for the University of Cincinnati’s graduation on Friday.
Despite the severity of the charges, a series of fundraisers were initiated on GoFundMe, seeking to provide financial support for Hinton’s defense.
The killing of Deputy Henderson has sparked outrage within the law enforcement community.
Locally, the Sheriffs of Hardin, Champaign, and Logan Counties shared the press release across their social media platforms, amplifying the call for GoFundMe to remove the fundraisers, standing alongside deputies across the state.
The Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association called for immediate action from GoFundMe to ensure that funds do not go to those who would exploit the loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer for personal gain.
Late Monday night, GoFundMe issued an apology to the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for allowing such posts to raise money in support of the accused.
The platform acknowledged the mistake and removed the fundraisers.
