Holly MatkinAccord, NY – A retired police officer who was shot in the line of duty said campground staff threatened to kick him out of his camping spot unless he agreed to remove the Thin Blue Line flag he had on display outside his camper.
Retired Boynton Beach Police Officer Eric Reynolds said he was confronted by the staff of Thousand Trials Rondout Valley Campground while he was camping there on Tuesday, News 12 reported.
The 51-year-old former officer, who was awarded for exemplary service after being shot in the line of duty in 2013, said he was stunned when he realized the staff was serious about wanting him to remove his pro-police flag.
“I though he was messing with me,” Reynolds told News 12.
He said the campground employee told him to either remove the flag or to leave the property.
Reynolds said he ultimately complied with the directive.
The former officer retired from the force in 2020 due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to News 12.
He now travels around the country in his camper with his family.
Reynolds said he has never had anyone take issue with his Thin Blue Line flag until the incident at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley Campground.
A News 12 reporter who traveled to the campground on Monday noted that there were multiple flags throughout the property, to include at least one RV that had a Thin Blue Line flag inside its windshield.
“We have a flag policy across all campgrounds in our network that has been in effect since 2018,” the campground told News 12. “The policy allows a limited variety of flags to be displayed on site and is intended to help ensure a welcoming atmosphere for guests of the campgrounds.”
