ARAPAHOE COUNTY - The Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility will continue to bear the name of the accused felon and former Arapahoe County Sheriff, as his judicial proceedings move forward.
Arapahoe County Commissioners on Tuesday morning put off voting on a policy that would trigger a process to rename the facility. The new-rule would prohibit county facilities to bear the names of individuals, and could be applied retroactively, according to a county agenda.
Former Sheriff Patrick Sullivan is accused of trading methamphetamine for sexual favors from men. He was arrested Nov. 29 after a weeks-long investigation and sting operation.
Current Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson called Sullivan's arrest an "embarrassment" to the community. Still, he asked commissioners to postpone the rule-making Tuesday.
"Although there is the emotion of embarrassment that we've all felt, there is a higher purpose here," Robinson said. "And that higher purpose is to insure the integrity the fairness and the dedication to the principles of the criminal justice system."
Sullivan was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon, but the Colorado Attorney General's Office requested more time to review the case.
9NEWS asked if the facility's renaming would happen after a potential conviction. Robinson demurred.
"I'm not sure I know when that will happen," Robinson said. "I intentionally suggested to the commissioners at least 60 days. Once the 60 days arrives, I will evaluate the current situation, and when it is appropriate, I will come back before the board of county commissioners, and I will strongly encourage them to move forward on their renaming policy."
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