Mark Salvas (L): 'I Stand for the flag, I kneel at the cross' (Screenshot)

Mark Salvas has, reportedly been forced to resign his position as Democratic Party Executive Director in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania because of social media posts sympathetic to God, country, and an accused police officer.

As local station KDKA reports:

A former Marine and Gulf War veteran, Salvas was just hired in September as executive director of the county party, long after he posted a picture of his wife and him on Facebook with the words, “I stand for the flag, I kneel at the cross.” …. But some on social media called that inappropriate for a Democratic party leader, including a second post from Salvas’ wife asking for support for their close friends, the family of officer Michael Rosfeld, who is accused of killing Antwon Rose II.

Salvas says he has known Rosfeld since the officer was three years old, and that he considers him “family”:

“Officer Rosfeld, Michael Rosfeld, is as close to me and my family as anyone could be. I have known that young man since he was literally 3-years-old. They are family to us." Salvas says, like the Rose family, the Rosfeld family is struggling with the tragedy. “They have been there for us in hard times, and my wife and I felt it was necessary to be there for them because family backs family,” he said.

However, State Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Pittsburgh) told KDKA he thought the post supporting the police officer is “insensitive” – even though Salvas has a biracial child and African Americans in his family.

Salvas, a veteran, says he has “no apologies” for the posts expressing his patriotism and support for the Officer Rosfeld, but he respects the rights of those who chose to disrespect the flag by kneeling durning the National Anthem.