Missouri town elects first black mayor; 80% of the police, city attorney, water supervisor resign

Tyrus Byrd being sworn into office in Parma, Missouri

What the hell were they afraid of?
Born and raised in tiny Parma, Missouri, Tyrus Byrd, a Christian missionary and the city clerk of Parma, decided she wanted to give running for mayor a shot. She beat the incumbent mayor, a white man, by 37 votes. Before she could take office, police officers and city employees scrambled like roaches with the light flipped on:

Tyrus Byrd will be sworn in as mayor on Tuesday evening, April 14, at the Parma Community Building. According to Mayor Randall Ramsey, five out of six police officers resigned this week, effectively immediately.

Mayor Ramsey said the city's attorney, the clerk and the waste water treatment plant supervisor also turned in resignation letters citing "safety concerns."

Mayor Elect, Tyrus Byrd, said she was unaware of the situation and plans to ask questions about the "safety concerns" during Tuesday night's ceremony.

Safety concerns? READ MORE