POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A group that aims to keep religion and government separate sent Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd a letter protesting his delivery of sermons at a Lakeland Baptist church while in uniform.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation said Judd delivered a sermon at the First Baptist Church at the Mall in April while in uniform.
Photos: Grady Judd delivers sermon
In its letter to Judd, the group wrote: "In your official capacity as an officer of the government, you are bound by the Establishment Clause and cannot abuse that office to promote your personal religious choices."
The group asked Judd to stop giving sermons dressed in his sheriff's uniform.
"You cannot preach in church as Sheriff Judd, you must do as Mr. Judd, private citizen," the group said.
There has been no response from Judd or from the church