Trooper with Ties to the KKK Will Not Be Reinstated

A Nebraska State Trooper was fired from his position when it was discovered that he was a member of an organization with ties to the KKK.

According to AP, Robert Henderson, an 18 year veteran with the Nebraska State Patrol, told investigators that he joined the Knights Party back in June of 2004 as a way to vent when his wife left him for a Hispanic man.

Investigators stated that Henderson's affiliation with the group was discovered when he posted four messages on the Knights website.

The trooper was fired, but the decision was overturned when an arbitrator cited a lack of evidence that Henderson treated anyone differently due to his affiliation with the Knights.

The arbitrator ruled that Henderson should be reinstated because the firing violated his First Amendment and due process rights.

Minority and civil groups were outraged by the decision.

The State's Attorney General Office appealed and the case went before District Court Judge Jeffre Cheuvront. The Judge said in a seven-page order that Henderson violated the state's public policy against discrimination and that he should not have been rehired.

The Judge wrote "there are a few of us who have chosen certain professions that, because of the public interest and perception of our duties, do not permit us to engage in conduct that jeopardizes the confidence of the public in our institutions."

Attorney General Jon Bruning was clearly happy with the judge's ruling. "The patrol has a well-deserved reputation as an institution with the highest integrity, and this ruling confirms the Patrol's ability to take actions necessary to maintain the public trust," said Bruning.

Henderson's lawyer, Vincent Valentino is quoted by the Omaha World Herald as saying "there is no public policy against violating First Amendment rights and contracts for employees."

Several news sources report that Henderson has both black and Hispanic family members, a fact that his lawyer brought up in court.

Valentino has not said whether his client would appeal the Judge's ruling. He has 30 days.