When Good Cops Go Bad

I'm not sure if Raymond Martin was ever a good cop or not. I've met him a few times and for a number of years I've heard abuse of power/corruption stories about his job as Sheriff of Gallatin County located in deep southeastern Illinois along the Kentucky border. Since I'm not in the drug trafficking business I have no idea what's happening. Coming from a family of police officers, I can tell you the dude is in some deep trouble and rumors about his activity have been around for years.

Since this story is getting national attention and it's right in my backyard, I thought I would at least mention that small town/rural sheriffs can become very powerful people. But why it's a front page story for TPM is beyond me. Is it because Martin is a Democrat? Or is it because Martin and his now murder-for-hire scheme is part of a larger national epidemic among police power?