A Washington sheriff has ignited a fierce online debate after posting a controversial comment about George Floyd, just one day after the sixth anniversary of his murder. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank took to social media and declared that Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in May 2020, would be using drugs if he were still alive today.
The controversy began when a post shared on X on May 19 featured four AI-generated images of Floyd in various professions: a doctor, a priest, a man in a suit, and a construction worker. The caption asked: 'If George Floyd were still alive today, what do you think he'd be doing?' Sheriff Swank, in a now-deleted response, replied simply: 'Drugs.'
The comment quickly sparked a fierce backlash. One user labelled the sheriff 'racist and unhinged,' writing: 'Any cop who disrespects the victims of police violence should be immediately terminated. And to have the top cop tweeting this, the person who sets the culture, inexcusable.' However, Swank appeared unapologetic, responding: 'You should thank me. This is probably your most viewed post.'
Another critic wrote: '[Swank] is using this platform to spread hate and vile messages. The office of Sheriff is *supposed* to be non-partisan, yet all it takes is looking at Mr Swank's replies page to see how disgusting he truly is. I live in Pierce County and hate his racism permeating into my "home".'
Yet some users supported the sheriff's remarks, pointing to Floyd's criminal history and the drugs found in his system according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's autopsy report. One supporter stated: 'I agree with and Support Sheriff Keith Swank! If George Floyd was still alive his punk ass would still be doing fentanyl and harming people in the community. His blood tests showed fetty! The ignorance is appalling that they protect criminals.' Another added: 'It would've been nice if George Floyd had been a model citizen like that but his repeated criminal behavior demonstrated he indeed likely would've been doing drugs.'
Floyd's official cause of death was ruled as cardiopulmonary arrest, with contributing factors including 'law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression,' according to the autopsy report. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of second-degree murder in Floyd's death, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.
Sheriff Swank, who has over three decades of law enforcement experience, has faced previous controversies since taking office in January 2025. Earlier this year, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) announced they were considering expelling him from the organization. This followed comments Swank made at the statehouse in Olympia opposing a bill that would impose stricter eligibility requirements for police chiefs, marshals, and sheriffs, and would allow for removal of elected sheriffs if the Criminal Justice Training Commission revoked their certification.
During that meeting, Swank reportedly said: 'When you try to remove me from office, thousands of Pierce County residents will surround the County-City building in downtown Tacoma and will not allow that to happen. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I and they are prepared. Are you prepared?' The WASPC leaders described his testimony as 'inflammatory' and potentially threatening. Swank, however, denied his comments were threatening and said he agreed that residents storming a government building would 'be a crisis.'
Swank also expressed concern about a provision in the bill that would classify hate speech as grounds for dismissal, referencing his own social media posts such as 'trans women are men.' He argued that such legislation could be used to decertify him and remove him from office. He further questioned the need for rigorous requirements for sheriffs, comparing the role to the presidency: 'If you look at the Constitution, in order to run for president what do you need to be? Born here and 35 years old. Why would we make any requirements more so on the sheriff than we would on the President of the United States?'
In 2025, Swank faced three separate certification cases before the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, following multiple complaints and an initial disciplinary decision from the Seattle Police Department. While the reason for the investigation was not disclosed, Swank posted on X in September 2025: 'Today I received a complaint from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) regarding my social media posts that if true can invoke RCW 43.101.105 (decertify me). This is what the left does to shut people up. I won't be silenced. They think they can decertify me, and then I will no longer be the sheriff. That won't work. I'm still elected.' The disciplinary decision is believed to be linked to a closed case from the Seattle Office of Police Accountability, which found allegations of bias-based policing, breach of social media policy, and unprofessionalism.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office for comment on the latest controversy.
