Delco sheriff speaks out after receiving threatening voicemails

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara says he received two racist, Islamophobic and threatening voicemails over the weekend that are now under investigation by the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Kamara said he learned about the messages Monday morning, which also happened to be his birthday.

Despite the threats, he said they will not deter him from doing his job.

One of the voicemails stated, "Death to Islam. I'm going to find you (racial slur). I'm going to hunt you."

"As a sheriff, the peace officer of the county, all of this hate is just wild," Kamara said.

The sheriff said he had expected to begin his birthday with a celebratory message but instead listened to the threatening calls, which he said were left multiple times on Saturday on the county's sheriff civilian hotline.

Another voicemail included the threat: "I'm going to snipe you when you least expect it, and I'm going to force-feed you your intestines."

"I was taken aback. Loss of words. I'm still at a loss for words," Kamara said.

When asked whether he believed the caller was from Delaware County, Kamara said, "To be honest with you, I hope not, but I don't know. I'm still trying to process all of this."

Kamara said his office decided to release the voicemails publicly as part of his commitment to transparency.

"One of the things I talked about during my election is being very transparent, and when we released it today, I'm not looking for a pity party or empathy in a sense. I just wanted the people in Delaware County to realize what us elected officials and the things and trials and tribulations we go through," he said.

Kamara made history in November by becoming the youngest sheriff in the country and the first person of Liberian descent to hold the office in Delaware County.

"This is America; we should be able to enjoy the freedom. It doesn't matter where you come from, who you love, or who you worship; you should be able to feel safe," Kamara said.

The investigation into who sent the voicemails is ongoing.