Bigotry with a Badge: Constable John Shirley’s Online Rants Are a Threat to Democracy—and to Hood County

Hood County deserves better.

What we have witnessed from Constable John D. Shirley over the course of his tenure as an elected Constable in Hood County is not just unprofessional—it’s un-American. Lately, however, Shirley’s online rants have become even more dark. In a pair of posts made from his official Hood County Constable Facebook page last week, Shirley didn’t just cross the line. He bulldozed it.

In the first post, Shirley mocked local residents organizing a peaceful “Hands Off” rally—part of a national movement to protect democracy and civil liberties—calling them “wackadoodles” for daring to hold an anti-Trump demonstration in “crimson red Hood County.” He then encouraged a “counter protest” and incited supporters to respond, which they did—some calling for the exercise of “2A rights” (a barely veiled suggestion to bring firearms).

That's not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous.

But if that wasn’t enough to disqualify Shirley from serving as a public officer, his second post should remove all doubt. In that post, he used a vile, dehumanizing slur against transgender people, referring to them as “trannies” while questioning YMCA policies about bathroom access. He claimed the issue was relevant to lease negotiations with Hood County, signaling that his bigotry is not just personal—it’s political. And he’s willing to inject it into government decisions.

Let’s call this what it is: hate speech—broadcast on a taxpayer-funded platform by a man wearing a badge.

As a PEACE OFFICER, his words were loud and clear: If you're not straight, conservative, cisgender, and pro-Trump, you’re not welcome in “his” county. And if you speak up? Prepare to be publicly mocked, met with counter-protests, and—according to his commenters—possibly met with guns.

That’s not law enforcement. That’s thug behavior wrapped in a badge.

But it gets worse.

Constable Shirley has long-standing and well-documented ties to the Oath Keepers, the extremist anti-government militia group whose leadership helped orchestrate the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Shirley has appeared in Oath Keeper directories, attended meetings, and is connected to the group’s convicted leader, Stewart Rhodes—who, until pardoned by Felon 47, was serving time for seditious conspiracy.

Let that sink in: We have a sitting Hood County law enforcement official who’s aligned himself with a domestic terrorist organization—and no one in power seems interested in doing anything about it.

Where is the County Judge?
Where are the Commissioners?
Where is the District Attorney?
Where is the Sheriff?

We are told to “back the blue.” But what happens when the blue becomes the bully? What happens when the very people sworn to protect our community and uphold the peace become the ones stirring hate, sowing division, and empowering threats?

Here’s the answer: We speak out. We show up. And we hold them accountable.

Because here’s the truth, plain and simple: John Shirley has no business wearing a badge.

He has repeatedly betrayed the oath he swore to uphold. He has used his office to push personal political agendas, incite public discord, demean marginalized communities, and pander to extremist ideology. His actions are not only unethical—they may very well be illegal.

🔹 Texas Government Code §556 prohibits the use of public resources for political purposes.
🔹 The Texas Ethics Commission strongly warns against partisan activity in official capacities.
🔹 The Hatch Act bars local officials from using their roles to influence elections if they receive federal funding.

Shirley’s posts and affiliations raise urgent questions that demand answers. His behavior endangers not only public trust but public safety—especially for LGBTQIA citizens, political, racial, and religious minorities, and anyone else who dares to disagree with him.

So let’s be absolutely clear:

🛑 If you’re using official channels to mock peaceful protests, you are not fit to serve.
🛑 If you’re using slurs against the trans community, you are not fit to serve.
🛑 If you’re tied to extremist, anti-government militias, you are not fit to serve.
🛑 And if you’re encouraging confrontation, intimidation, or violence in your official role, you are not protecting democracy—you are attacking it.

This is not just a Blue Dot issue—it’s a red, white, and blue one, and Hood County residents of all stripes should demand better.

John D. Shirley should resign. And if he won’t, he should be voted out, investigated, and held accountable—before his hate-fueled rhetoric becomes something worse.

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We see you, Constable Shirley. We see what you said. We see what you stand for. And we say: Not in our name. Not in our county. Not under our flag.

Until next time, keep fighting the good fight.

Micky Shearon
The Blue Dot Dispatch

📍 Deep in the Heart of Red Texas

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