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Sheriff charged with DUI in W.Va.
Washington County Sheriff Samuel Romano spent Wednesday night in jail after he was arrested for drunken driving near Parsons, W.Va.
Tucker County Sheriff Tom Felton said the department received a telephone call about a possible drunk driver and stopped a black, 2006 four-door Mercedes-Benz at 5:15 p.m. on Route 72. After failing field sobriety tests, Romano, 43, was given an Intoximeter test, which Felton said resulted in a .231 blood-alcohol level - nearly three times the legal limit to drive a car in West Virginia.
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Felton said the deputy making the arrest learned during the stop that Romano is the Washington County sheriff. Romano was taken to Tygart Valley Regional Jail and released Thursday morning.
"By no means do I feel that I am above the law in this or any other matter, nor did I ask for or was treated as such," Romano said.
Parsons is the government seat of rural Tucker County and 104 miles away from Washington. According to Romano's statement, he was sightseeing with his fiance, Angie, in nearby Elkins, W.Va. Felton said the Mercedes-Benz was registered in Pennsylvania to an Angela Conner.
Petit's Buddy : 6/9/2008
Is this supposed to be supprising?
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
The Sheriff must have done his sight seeing in all the bars in Tucker County.
Not everyone is perfect : 6/9/2008
we all make bad decisions, i know that everyone who reads this has probably done something that they regret.
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
I'm sure he feels horrible about this. I'll bet he's truely sorry and he shouldn't be judged by this.
news : 6/9/2008
the observer is only doing what they do with everyone else that gets dui's. they report it. I agree everyone makes mistakes and its the observers job to report news.
.231??? : 6/9/2008
.231 isn't a mistake... .231 is almost 3 times the legal limit. That is stone-cold drunk. Intersting to see how this case plays out.
Cute : 6/9/2008
Gotta love the mugshot. Orange is a good color for him.
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
Everyone does things they regret. And yes the Observer-Reporter is reporting the news however, Sheriff Romano has done alot of good in Washington County since taking office and I haven't read any of that in the paper. Drunk driving is a serious offense and in no way do I believe Sheriff Romano is taking this lightly or viewing it as just a mistake. Anyone who knows the Sheriff knows how much he cares about this county and the people in it! Those who make comments regarding Petit and other personal attacks need to look at themselves because I find it hard to believe that they have no regrets in life.
wow : 6/9/2008
i never knew he drove , since someone is always driving him around, esp if he drinks. When did he start driving???
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
Folks of Washington Co. should have known he has a problem. He, his daddy and his buddies campaigning in a lot of bars around the county before the election should have been the eye opener. Should have voted for Bill Bryker!
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
People do make mistakes, but someone in his position should not make this mistake. He should be removed from office if he is not man enough to step down. A head of law enforcement should be held to a higher standard- no excuses.
a drunk as sheriff."go figure" : 6/9/2008
anyone who lives in washington county should not be surprised .this time we need to make an example of him,strip him of his badge and punnish him to the fullest.
great mug shot : 6/9/2008
washington at its finnest!!punnish him to the fullest.....the problems run much deeper..
Sherrif Romano : 6/9/2008
I wanna party with that guy.
Romano : 6/9/2008
There is no excuse for this behavior from someone in his position and he should be removed from office, not permitted to step down voluntarily!
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
Everyone's quick to judge someone in the public eye. However, these people making judgmental comments should look in the mirror. I don't know of anyoone who hasn't made mistakes that they regret. Who cares what someoe does in their personal life? Maybe these same people need to get a life and give as much concern about things that truely matter. What Sheriff Romano does in his private life has nothing to do with how he does his job! And he's doing a fiine job!!!! Having a few drinks at dinner, doesn't make someone a drunk! This could happen to anyone: your kids, parents, spouse, or yourself.
sherrif : 6/9/2008
Give him a break!! Everyone makes mistakes
Amazing... : 6/9/2008
I find it truly amazing that so many people can forgive the highest elected law enforecement official in the county with just an "everyone makes mistakes". I wonder how they would feel if they had a crime comiitted against them and Sheriff Romano said "let them go...everyone makes mistakes...I'm sure he feels horrible about it". Easy to see how we have had so many elected officials of the same ilk in this county. I hope the W. Va. police can find whoever reported the Sheriff and give them a commendation, because they quite possibly could have kept a "mistake" from turning into a tragedy. .231 at 5:15 PM...must have quit sightseeing quite early in the day.
Sammy Romano : 6/9/2008
The problem runs much deeper within the sheriffs dept and for that matter within the Washington County jail guard system.Just how often are these people drug tested? Obviously not near enough!
Drunk Sheriff : 6/9/2008
I went to high school with this guy. He was a thug then, now hes a drunk thug. Knowing how washPA operates nothing will happen because you all don't know better. What a shame
Sheriff Romano : 6/9/2008
How stupid is this guy to be drinking and driving! How about setting an example. Here's an idea, stay out of the Alpine Club.
Romano : 6/9/2008
First, I think he is generally a decent guy and a decent sheriff. Any comparison to Pettit is totally unreasonable, as Pettit preyed on young women and what he did amounted to rape. As far as the Sheriff being removed from office, I dont think an elected county official can be removed for a DUI. However, it was very irresponsible of him. He could have killed somebody.
DUI : 6/9/2008
Im pretty sure that if I were to get busted for drunk driving, the Sheriff's office would take my permit to carry a concealed weapon! So how does that work with the sheriff??? Besides, what kind of example does that show!!!
SHERIFF rOMANO : 6/9/2008
Everyone does things they regret. And yes the Observer-Reporter is reporting the news however, Sheriff Romano has done alot of good in Washington County since taking office and I haven't read any of that in the paper. Drunk driving is a serious offense and in no way do I believe Sheriff Romano is taking this lightly or viewing it as just a mistake. But we should remember we are all HUMAN!! Anyone who knows the Sheriff knows how much he cares about this county and the people in it! Everyone deserves a second chance!!!
A LUVABLE DRUNK HE IS : 6/10/2008
LEAVE HIM ALONE! HE'S A LOVABLE DRUNK AND YINZ PEOPLES VOTED FOR HIMS.IF HE DOES DRUGS AND DRINKS IN HIS SPARE TIME LET HIM BE YINZ VOTED HIM. HEY SAM WHEN'S YER NEXT KEG PARTY I'LL BE THERE!!!! YOUS A GOOD SHERRIFF. TELL CHICKEN & MOUSE I SAYS HI.
Romano : 6/10/2008
I've always found it funny how people in this county are so quick to attack a person and his family after one mistake is made. Let's not comment or REPORT on the GOOD things that have been done but let's focus on ONE bad thing. It's easy to attack someone with words when you don't have to sign your name to it, but that's b/c you're probably perfect!!
Sheriff Romano : 6/10/2008
He who is with out sin can cast the first stone. He made a mistake!
romano : 6/10/2008
Yes, he made a huge mistake. Should he be held to a higher standard? Certainly. Should he be punished? Just like everyone else. Should he lose his position? No. I think Mr. Romano has done a pretty decent job as Sheriff. I haven't heard a negative thing about that office since he became Sheriff. I feel he should make an effort to contribute his time & perhaps personal money to causes involving the topic of drinking & driving. I am glad to see that there are some concerned citizens (taxpayers). However, some of these citizens should become more involved in their elections. Washington Co is one of the more corrupt counties around. I'm not just referring to Pettit. Corruption is present from the top on down which includes the courts. When the next election rolls around, don't be so quick to pick the incumbent or automatically retain a judge. Do some research - then vote. If you want change then it starts with us the voters.
Romano : 6/11/2008
everyone in office makes mistakes....we ARE ALL HUMAN. Now if he does it again that might be a differant store
