Virginia Sheriff Adds 'In God We Trust' to Patrol Cars

The sheriff for York-Poquoson counties in Virginia has added America's national motto, "In God We Trust," to his patrol cars, offering an extensive legal defense for his actions.

Sheriff J.D. "Danny" Diggs posed for a photo on the York County's Facebook page showing the new decal on a sheriff's vehicle.

In the post, Diggs says his goal is not to offend anyone, but rather to honor God. He said posting the motto on patrol cars "does not injure or threaten anyone."

"It is not an attempt to urge anyone to support or convert to any one religion," Diggs wrote.

"Despite the fact that the motto has been prominently displayed on our national symbols for more than a hundred years, no court anywhere in the United States has ever held that public posting of 'In God We Trust' violates the Constitution," he explained.

The sheriff points to various historical documents and rulings to support his decision.

One example is an act approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2002.

"Each board of supervisors of any county and each city or town council in the Commonwealth may prominently post the National Motto, 'In God We Trust,' the National Motto, enacted by Congress in 1956, in a conspicuous place in the primary local government administrative building of the jurisdiction for all citizens to read."

Diggs also cites acts of Congress and rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In Elk Grove Unified Sch. Dist. V. Newdow, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stated it was not surprising to find "…a Nation founded by religious refugees and dedicated to religious freedom should find references to divinity in its symbols, songs, mottoes, and oaths. Eradicating such references would sever ties to a history that sustains this Nation even today."