Rule of Law vs Rule of Man

As a recent college grad ethics were taught as a part of each subject, and yet try to pin down an answer on what is "right" or "wrong" is nearly impossible. We have laws, which often times are a minimum standard. They are what we penalize for and only if one gets caught. Beyond that we have customs, morals, sociatle norms and accepted behaviors. For a society to be succesful it requires the most of its citizens operate at a much higher level than obeying the minimal laws.what has made the US so succesful has been its founding on the basis of individual rights and freedoms. Many believe in a "living Constitution" and picking and chosing from moral guides the parts they will apply in their lives and ignoring those they disagree with. I am personally challenged by this. Over all I think you set high standards, like those in our constitution, realising most will probably fall short, but you cannot lower the standards because they are not being met. I like to think I have a high level of ethics, and the rule of law and fairness are important to me, except of course speed limits and software copywrite laws. In my business I will go above and beyond to take care of customers even at my own expense, but then I won't let the guy merge in that waits till the last minute and wont use a turn signal. I aspire to be a good christian but I was born with sin. We see societal ebs and flows but rarely does it pay to to set your sites on being average. Over time averages tend to drop, and when you see someone else get by on average with the same rewards you are getting for exceling the tendancy is to eventually drop to average. I believe we all need to aspire to be leaders, whatever the role we are in.
To me that means:
1) serving others. Good leaders are not in it for the power , but for the chance to benifit others.
2) Live a life that is an example to others.
3)Be willing to do whats right regardless of how it will be percieved.

To answer the question. The sheriff owes it to the town to uphold the law. In the long run everyone will feel better about how the situation was handled and about the stability and moral compass of the town itself.

If you ever watched a cowboy movie the sherriff always trys to uphold the law and give the accused a fair trial even though there is a lynch mob of citizens.

As for the Government. They create laws as they see fit without reguard to how the population feels abot the outcome. Later a group dissatisfied with the law finds a judge to overrule it.
This might not be right, legal, within the guidelines of how our forefathers intended, or the way the majority would want it but it seems to be the way this couuntry is being run.