Anti-Domestic Violence GOP Sherriff Arrested For Domestic Violence


During election seasons, Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ronald Bateman played off his name’s similarity to Batman. He used symbols related to the comic hero who also fought crime with vigor. Unfortunately, over the weekend, Bateman sullied that image.

Bateman was arrested in Maryland on Sunday night and charged with second-degree assault against his wife.

During an argument on Sunday night, Bateman told his wife Elsie to leave. When she attempted to take some of his money before leaving, he became enraged. The fight escalated and wound up with Bateman holding her down on their bed. This resulted in Elsie being injured.

Bateman’s weapons have been removed from his custody.

Today, Elsie posted the following:

“I am fine and will be fine. Secondly, so is my husband Ron Bateman. … Ron is a wonderful man and an amazing sheriff. So if you are that perfect perfect person that has never raised your voice or had an arugment [sic] then by all means go live your life perfect and stay out of ours.”

It’s also important to note that he has prided himself on “service aimed at protecting domestic violence victims.” In the above post, Elsie exhibits classic regret over getting an abuser in trouble. One has to wonder how comfortable the citizens of Anne Arundel County would feel bringing up domestic violence to his office now.

Bateman has had some interesting changes of heart as of late. Most recently, he switched from being a Democrat to being a Republican. This was due to his views on the gun rights, the death penalty, and immigration.

Featured image courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police.

Kirsten Schultz is a writer and chronic illness guru living in Madison, Wisconsin. Her undergraduate degree is in religious studies with a double minor in history and politics. However, during her first go of graduate school, she fell extremely ill and had to drop out. She now shares her musings on living with chronic illness at her site Not Standing Still's Disease, writes about how illness affects Quality of Life (QoL) issues at Chronic Sex and Creaky Joints, and runs a weekly chat on QoL issues Thursday nights on Twitter.