Texas Police Chief Tersely Defends 'In God We Trust' Decals
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A Texas police chief has sent a terse letter telling a watchdog group to "go fly a kite" after the group sent a letter of complaint when he placed "In God We Trust" decals on patrol vehicles.
Childress police Chief Adrian Garcia says he sent the letter last week to the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Garcia said Tuesday the decals were placed on patrol vehicles in the Texas Panhandle town to express patriotism and also as a response to recent attacks nationally on law enforcement personnel.
Other police departments have subsequently posted pictures of their vehicles with the slogan as a show of support. Both the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Office and Seagraves, Texas police deaprtment were the most recent to do so.
Nationwide, other law enforcement agencies in Florida, Missouri and elsewhere in recent months also have added the phrase to their vehicles.
The foundation says the First Amendment prohibits government from establishing or even preferring a religion.
Religious liberty groups say federal courts have repeatedly upheld the use of the phrase.
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