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PCSD deputy resigns after weekend incident

Monday, June 22, 2015
By JARED Jernagan Assistant Editor
Tyler Turner

A Putnam County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) deputy has resigned following a weekend incident in which he tested positive for alcohol consumption after damaging his police car in a single-vehicle crash.

Deputy Tyler Turner met with Chief Deputy Phil Parker regarding the issue Monday morning.

Following the conversation with Parker, which included Parker outlining the department's possible courses of action, Turner chose to voluntarily resign as a deputy.

Turner, 33, had been with the department for less than two years. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Turner had his police authority suspended indefinitely, Sheriff Scott Stockton reported Sunday.

The incident transpired at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday when Turner was westbound on West Walnut Street in the 2011 Dodge Charger, attempting to turn left onto County Road 400 West.

Capt. Tom Helmer conducted the accident investigation for the department and reported that tire marks indicated the vehicle left the road and ran onto a grass shoulder and struck a stopsign.

Turner then apparently drove to another residence and contacted his shift supervisor. He was subsequently transported to the Putnam County Jail. A breath test administered more than three hours after the accident showed a blood alcohol content of .054.

Although this lies within the legal limit, it is still in violation of the department's zero-tolerance alcohol policy.

The policy was enacted near the beginning of Stockton's term this year and even applies to officers who are off duty.

The policy was extensively discussed with officers at meetings introducing the new standard operating procedures.

Stockton addressed the issue of deputies using county vehicles while off duty, saying that minimal use is allowed, as the presence of police vehicles on the road serves as a deterrent to crime.

He added, however, that the department looks critically at the conduct of officers, particularly when they are behind the wheel of a taxpayer-owned vehicle. The personal use of department vehicles can be revoked for individual officers.

Turner was reportedly behind the wheel of the police cruiser following a domestic dispute with his wife.

A full investigative report was completed by the PCSD and was forwarded to the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office for review.

Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter told the Banner Graphic that charges will not be filed against either party.

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  • Ch 6 reported that his estranged wife jumped in front of his car. I've heard she physically attacked him. Sounds like she knew she would get away with it! He lost his job, she should be made an example also. Face some consequences for her actions.

    -- Posted by hometowngirl626 on Mon, Jun 22, 2015, at 6:03 PM

  • Putnam county women can be very vindictive towards their men.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Mon, Jun 22, 2015, at 9:46 PM

  • Gut wrenching to see this happen to a great man that loves this line of work. Tyler, this is where your true friends come out of the woodwork. Chin up bud.

    -- Posted by Mercidos on Tue, Jun 23, 2015, at 3:06 AM

  • Wow, bad place to wreck your cruiser, so near the boss's house.

    -- Posted by Ben Dover on Tue, Jun 23, 2015, at 8:23 AM

  • That was a bad choice to make getting in the car with alcohol in his system knowing the department rules. He should of been given another chance in some way or another. Hope no one makes a wise crack at this young man. His punishment shouldnt be loosing his job and screwing up his career, he done the right thing by being honest. Good luck buddy and ditch that crazy lady.

    -- Posted by etphonehome on Wed, Jun 24, 2015, at 4:04 AM

  • The Question should be ( Why did they wait 3 hours to give him the Breath test?) If it had been you or me they would have done it immediately. In 3 hours you can sober up quite a bit.

    -- Posted by sierrabloom on Wed, Jun 24, 2015, at 10:09 AM

  • Zero tolerance = no 2nd chance. I'm sure he read and agreed to that policy before he was sworn in for duty.

    Regardless of whether the wife jumped in front of the cruiser or whether PC women (in general) are vindictive towards their men (lol), has nothing to do with this man drinking alcohol while off duty - that is the crime.

    Unfortunately, some lessons are harder than others.

    -- Posted by Emmes on Wed, Jun 24, 2015, at 11:21 AM

  • How in the world is this tragedy a woman's fault?

    Was she driving the vehicle? Was she drinking? Did she have the accident? Did she violate department policy and the public's trust? I feel sorry for everyone involved.

    -- Posted by Prince of Stardust Hills on Wed, Jun 24, 2015, at 12:30 PM

  • I would like to know what the policy states. All I am seeing is that it is a zero tolerance policy. Zero tolerance meaning? I mean it should be a given that they can't drink alcohol and drive their squad. But does the policy actually state they can not drink alcohol? Can someone please clarify for me?

    -- Posted by momofboys on Wed, Jun 24, 2015, at 3:17 PM
  • *

    The human body processes alcohol at the rate of 1 oz. per hour. (In general)

    So, if we are to go with the story that three hours had lapsed between the accident and the time of the blood test: I think we can safely assume that if we were to take someone who is at .05 and give them three shots of whiskey (1 oz each) that this person would certainly be above the legal limit.

    In other words - shut up and be thankful you only lost your job as your friends covered for you so that you didnt get a DWI charge.

    Gotta love Putnam County...lol.

    BTW - Good on Sheriff Stockton for the zero-tolerance on alcohol and driving. (There is no "legal limit".) Let's hope he can clean up the rest of the county. God knows it needs it.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Thu, Jun 25, 2015, at 2:10 PM

  • I just wonder if his estranged wife had not stopped his car and started the altercation, would any of this have happened? The woman isn't always right in domestic situations. Channel 6 also said he was trying to get away from her which tells me she was going after him. And above all else, why was this young man forced to resign when there are others in the department in higher positions that have done much worse, say like lying under oath and falsifying reports? Just wondering....

    -- Posted by Momma78 on Mon, Jun 29, 2015, at 11:53 AM
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