Oklahoma sheriffs upset with ''bully' legislator who criticized their private association

Oklahoma sheriffs are complaining about a state legislator who has criticized their private association.

One sheriff last week called Rep. Bobby Cleveland a misguided "bully" and demanded a public apology.

"I believe that declaring war on a nonprofit that represents and provides support to Oklahoma sheriffs is a strange and reckless dereliction of duty for any state official," Canadian County Sheriff Chris West said in a news release sent to The Oklahoman and other media.

The news release was entitled "Attacks On Sheriffs Are Attacks On Oklahomans."