"Long live Chief Burt McAlpin!"

Tuesday night's council meeting was packed full of people, the majority of which supported Sneads Police Chief Burt McAlpin.

"What Burt McAlpin means to me is #1 professionalism, #2 respect for all people regardless of race, color or creed. The other thing he represents is integrity," says Reverend Paul Daniels, of St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church.

And they were just as passionate in their criticism of Sneads town manager Ed Kilpatrick.

"He needs to be put a bridle on for some of the things he's done."
McAlpin's own father, Sammy, accused Kilpatrick of tarnishing his family's reputation.

"What man right there has drug my family's name in the mud with a pack of lies and I'm tired of it. I'm gonna make a strong suggestion that one of ya'll make a motion to fire him tonight!" says Sammy McAlpin.

The controversy concerns a 2007 sexual molestation case where McAlpin was accused of mishandling the investigation.

No criminal charges were filed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement but there is still an administrative complaint pending from the case.

Last month, a letter, purportedly sent by the Florida league of cities, was read during the council meeting.

It supposedly recommended the Sneads council place McAlpin on administrative leave pending the outcome.

But city attorney Guy Green says the league never sent that letter.

"That's just not true, I've talked to them, I've got their names and numbers down there, they did not say that," says Green.

Other are pointing the finger at Kilpatrick, who accused McAlpin of creating a hostile work environment.

The issue is consuming the rest of the city's government.

"Now there's been a lot of backstabbing and I for one am tired of it!"
Council member donovan weeks tried to mediate the conflict," says Donovan Weeks, Sneads council member.

"I don't know of anybody up here that's mentioned firing burt and i don't know of anybody up here mentioning firing Ed. That's two people that's gonna have to work together."

But it's become apparent a number of vocal citizens are firmly behind McAlpin.

"i believe in heaven and I believe in hell and I will stand by Burt McAlpin until hell freezes over!"