The phrase "upstanding citizen" refers to a person who is honest, law-abiding, and morally upright. It is used to describe someone who behaves responsibly and contributes positively to their community. Full definition
Had he or anybody else said something back then, Sandusky would have been the only bad guy and the rest would have been regarded as upstanding citizens not POS cowards. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
It was frequently exasperating to see that Emmit didn't really bring doom down around his ears like previous seemingly upstanding citizens of Fargo, your Lester Nygaards (Martin Freeman) and your Peggy Blumquists (Kirsten Dunst). (vox.com)
Why is it that we can accept drug users, alcoholics, and otherwise morally unsound people into leadership positions, but we immediately shun upstanding citizens who happen to be nonbelievers? (religion.blogs.cnn.com)