JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For the first time, we're hearing a former JSO detective describe the comments he made that cost him his job.
Action News has obtained the audio recording of the interview Detective Sam Koivisto gave JSO's integrity unit. In that interview, Koivisto paraphrased exactly what he said.
"If an order was given to kill Obama or something, then I wouldn't mind being the guy, then I would do it," he told investigators. He then said, "It was never a threat, never gonna take any action on it, or anything of that nature. I was just saying that I'm not real fond of the guy, and if he goes away, it wouldn't hurt my feelings."
Koivisto called it nothing more but political hyperbole. He said it was all talk, all be it extreme. "I made the statements. I understand they may be over the top."
JSO's investigator said, "The statement that we got was that you made a threat to kill the president." Koivisto answered, "No."
He continues to explain, "I've not made any threats against anybody. I've not said anything other than to express a desire, not happy with the fact Obama got elected."
Sheriff Rutherford called Koivisto's comments "unacceptable workplace conduct" not "legitimate threats." But before an internal investigation was to begin, Koivisto resigned, retiring early, ending his decades-long career as a police officer.
The Sheriff's statement also said the U.S. Secret Service has been notified about this incident.
