An Iowa State Patrolman has been placed on paid leave while officials investigate his actions in relation to an inappropriate e-mail message sent earlier this month.

Sergeant Rodney Hicok, 46 of Webster City, is suspected of forwarding an e-mail message on Jan. 16 that contained disparaging remarks in relation to the police mug shots of 15 individuals. The Department of Public Safety believes that the images were originally posted on the Smoking Gun Web site. The people in the mug shots are all wearing Barack Obama t-shirts or other campaign propaganda.

The e-mail message, which was sent with a subject line of “the new fashion statement for mugshots,” contained a note which read: “I’ve seen some ‘unique individuals’ aka SHITHEADS wearing these type of shirts myself He has quite a fan base. Nice to know that the low-lifes are getting involved in politics right now.”

“I am deeply disappointed if a sworn peace officer with the Iowa State Patrol forwarded this e-mail,” said Commissioner Eugene Meyer in a prepared statement. “This department will take swift action at the conclusion of the investigation if there is evidence of wrongdoing.”

Hicok is alleged to have forwarded the e-mail while on duty and from a state e-mail account, which is a violation of department policy. He will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. If found guilty of violating policy, Hicok could face a range of penalities including departmental reprimand and dismissal.

“As the agency that is charged with enforcing laws and protecting the public, State Troopers are held to a higher standard,” said Colonel Patrick Hoye, chief of the Iowa State Patrol.