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Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell doesn’t plan on blocking churches from meeting indoors amid an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper, the News & Observer reported in mid-May. In fact, he said he’d rather put up his badge than enforce the rule.
He said in a statement, the News & Observer reported, “As long as I’m Sheriff, my deputies nor I will forgo that oath and interfere or prevent churchgoers to peaceably assemble and exercise their constitutional right to freely worship. Before I would do that, I would lay down my badge and go home! NOW, LET’S HAVE CHURCH!”
Cooper's current executive order includes a clause that stipulated church services have to meet outside if there are more than 10 people present.
He said in a press conference, according to News & Observer, “We know that inside, it is much more likely than you’re going to transmit this virus, particularly when you’re sitting or standing in one place for a long time. I miss in-person church services very much myself.”
Still, Bizzell disagreed and said companies, such as retail stores, don’t have to adhere to the 10-person limit while indoors.
Bizzell's public stance has received support from sheriffs in Halifax, Harnett and Nash counties, CBS 17 reported on May 14.
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