Post by KC on May 7, 2006 22:03:14 GMT -5
05/07/2006 - LIBERTY, Ind. -- A Union County deputy was arrested Saturday at his home after officers said he violated a protective order by attending the Union County High School prom walk-in.
Deputy Chris Laird, 34, was charged with invasion of privacy for violating a protective order and resisting law enforcement, both Class A misdemeanors. He was released from the Union County Jail Saturday on $5,000 bond.
Laird, an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in last week's primary and former chief deputy in the department, had gone to the walk-in to watch his wife's cousin go into the prom, said Jessica Pitcher, Laird's sister-in-law. Union County's prom has a walk-in like the one at the Academy Awards, where friends and families fill bleachers on either side of a red carpet and each couple's name is announced.
Also at the walk-in was the daughter of Laird's former girlfriend, who also was watching the walk-in, Pitcher said. In June 2005, the former girlfriend obtained a protective order against Laird that orders him to stay away from her and her children and also restricts his presence at school functions except for official business, Sheriff Steve Leverton said.
Town Police Officer Russ Burroughs and reserve Deputy Daren Redpath told Laird to leave because he was violating a protective order, Pitcher said.
Laird, his wife Julie Laird, and Pitcher left the walk-in, but about 6:45 p.m. Burroughs, Deputy Alvin Day and two reserve officers came to the Laird home to arrest him, initially for invasion of privacy, Leverton said.
The decision to charge Laird with invasion of privacy and then with resisting arrest was made by Burroughs, a town officer, Leverton said.
"Russ (Burroughs) consulted with me and I told him to do what his evidence showed," Leverton said. "He reviewed the protective order and also consulted with the prosecutor. We (the sheriff's department) stayed out of it except for sending officers along for support."
Under the terms of the protective order issued last year by Special Judge Barbara Harcourt of Rush County, Laird can't attend a school basketball game except in an official capacity, Leverton said.
Laird was placed on administrative leave with pay, Leverton said. When an internal investigation is complete, if any further action is required it will be taken by the Union County Merit Board, Leverton said.
"We will see copies of Russ (Burroughs)' report and then proceed administratively," Leverton said.
About a month ago, Leverton ordered Laird not to carry a sheriff's department firearm when he's off-duty, as the protective order requires. Leverton said he initially misinterpreted the protective order on that issue.
Laird was the department's chief deputy until Jan. 30, when Leverton demoted him to a road deputy. Leverton said the demotion was because of poor performance, but Laird said it was retaliation because he was running for sheriff. Laird was a Republican candidate for sheriff, but failed to win in the primary.
Pitcher said officers "made a God-awful scene. It was ridiculous. Chris was nowhere near the girl. People need to know about our awesome sheriff's department."
Deputy Chris Laird, 34, was charged with invasion of privacy for violating a protective order and resisting law enforcement, both Class A misdemeanors. He was released from the Union County Jail Saturday on $5,000 bond.
Laird, an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in last week's primary and former chief deputy in the department, had gone to the walk-in to watch his wife's cousin go into the prom, said Jessica Pitcher, Laird's sister-in-law. Union County's prom has a walk-in like the one at the Academy Awards, where friends and families fill bleachers on either side of a red carpet and each couple's name is announced.
Also at the walk-in was the daughter of Laird's former girlfriend, who also was watching the walk-in, Pitcher said. In June 2005, the former girlfriend obtained a protective order against Laird that orders him to stay away from her and her children and also restricts his presence at school functions except for official business, Sheriff Steve Leverton said.
Town Police Officer Russ Burroughs and reserve Deputy Daren Redpath told Laird to leave because he was violating a protective order, Pitcher said.
Laird, his wife Julie Laird, and Pitcher left the walk-in, but about 6:45 p.m. Burroughs, Deputy Alvin Day and two reserve officers came to the Laird home to arrest him, initially for invasion of privacy, Leverton said.
The decision to charge Laird with invasion of privacy and then with resisting arrest was made by Burroughs, a town officer, Leverton said.
"Russ (Burroughs) consulted with me and I told him to do what his evidence showed," Leverton said. "He reviewed the protective order and also consulted with the prosecutor. We (the sheriff's department) stayed out of it except for sending officers along for support."
Under the terms of the protective order issued last year by Special Judge Barbara Harcourt of Rush County, Laird can't attend a school basketball game except in an official capacity, Leverton said.
Laird was placed on administrative leave with pay, Leverton said. When an internal investigation is complete, if any further action is required it will be taken by the Union County Merit Board, Leverton said.
"We will see copies of Russ (Burroughs)' report and then proceed administratively," Leverton said.
About a month ago, Leverton ordered Laird not to carry a sheriff's department firearm when he's off-duty, as the protective order requires. Leverton said he initially misinterpreted the protective order on that issue.
Laird was the department's chief deputy until Jan. 30, when Leverton demoted him to a road deputy. Leverton said the demotion was because of poor performance, but Laird said it was retaliation because he was running for sheriff. Laird was a Republican candidate for sheriff, but failed to win in the primary.
Pitcher said officers "made a God-awful scene. It was ridiculous. Chris was nowhere near the girl. People need to know about our awesome sheriff's department."