Alabama Sheriff Just Removed These Four Biblical Words From Patrol Cars — and Atheists Are Now Claiming Victory

An Alabama sheriff has reportedly decided to comply with demands from an atheist group and a First Amendment watchdog that he remove a decal featuring a Bible verse that was placed on patrol cars earlier this year.

Despite only being added to Houston County Sheriff’s Office vehicles a few months ago, Sheriff Donald Valenza decided to remove the decals, which included the sheriff office's badge along with words from Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Legal representation for the county recommended that Valenza remove the decals — though he was reportedly not required to do so — after Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a First Amendment watchdog, threatened to sue, the Dothan Eagle reported.

I Support Blessed Are The Peace makers on the Houston County Sheriff Cars page/Facebook

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist group, also sent a letter demanding the removal.

"Of course neither the commission nor anyone here supports that request, however we contacted our liability insurance carrier and their attorneys said, if we take this to court, they said we’re going to lose," Houston County Administrator Bill Dempsey told the Dothan Eagle of the demand for removal. "The county would be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses."

Many locals — including local government leaders — wanted to see the decal stay, and a Facebook page titled, "I Support Blessed Are The Peace makers on the Houston County Sheriff Cars," has already attracted 4,700 "likes."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, though, praised the decision to remove the decals.

"We're disappointed the county is only doing the right thing to avoid a losing lawsuit, but are very pleased to secure this victory on behalf of our Houston County members and supporters," Annie Laurie Gaylor, the group's co-president, said in a statement issued on Thursday.

A screenshot from the Facebook page

Valenza has not yet responded to a request for comment from TheBlaze, though his decision on the matter departs somewhat from the reaction that other sheriffs have had over a similar debate surrounding "In God We Trust" decals. 

As TheBlaze previously reported, numerous sheriffs around the country have defiantly refused to remove decals featuring the national motto from their patrol cars. It should be noted, however, that an explicit Bible verses differs somewhat from the more general motto "In God We Trust."

(H/T: Dothan Eagle)