The behaviors of Rocky Mount Police Sergeant Thomas Robertson and Officer Jacob Fracker are in direct contrast to that of last spring.
What We Know:
- Bridgette Craighead organized Rocky Mount, Virginia’s first-ever Black Lives Matter (BLM) rally. Last spring, the aforementioned officers were captured holding up signs defending the movement. They were recorded dancing the Electric Slide alongside Craighead in a video posted onto Inside Edition’s YouTube channel. The officers were very respectful of the movement, according to Craighead, as they bought pizza and McDonald’s Happy Meals for the protestors.
- Both Robertson and Fracker went against their actions at the Black Lives Matter event when they went to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. Thomas Robertson posted a picture on Facebook of the two in front of John Stark’s statue. In the comments, Robertson says he is proud to have stormed the Capitol. He also mentions that he and Fracker were “willing to put skin in the game.”
- Fracker wrote on Facebook, “Lol to anyone who’s possibly concerned about the picture of me going around… Sorry I hate freedom? …Not like I did anything illegal…y’all do what you feel you need to…”
- Craighead told Inside Edition she felt betrayed by their actions, mainly since they had attended all of Rocky Mount’s BLM protests. After seeing their posts on Facebook, she turned them in. Robertson and Fracker have since been put on administrative leave. Both men have also been charged with disorderly conduct for their participation in the January 6th Capitol riots.
On Facebook, Fracker additionally claimed that he was only supporting Craighead’s protest by dancing with her. However, he did not fully agree with her beliefs. Fracker also said he, too, can fight for his beliefs, referencing disrupting Congress.
