Post by KC on Apr 9, 2006 22:00:54 GMT -5
04/09/2006 - A Cook County sheriff's deputy charged with shooting an officer raiding the deputy's home says he shouldn't lose his job until the outcome of his criminal trial is known.
Michael Rodgers filed suit Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming a March vote by the sheriff's merit board recommending his firing is premature and wants the order reversed.
Rodgers, of Bellwood, is accused of firing at officers during a June 2003 raid on his home.
That raid came after Rodgers' stepson, Sean Spencer, was arrested in the midst of an investigation into the shooting death of Cedric Ashford.
Rodgers, who had worked for the county since 1985 and served as a deputy sheriff at the Maywood courthouse, said that when police raided his home he feared someone was breaking in -- in retaliation for Ashford's shooting.
Careless use of weapon
He claims he fired shots into the kitchen to scare off the invaders, but when he heard they were police he dropped his gun, though Bellwood police shot him.
The criminal case against Rodgers, charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, is pending.
The sheriff's merit board, however, voted to terminate Rodgers because of his careless use of his weapon and off-duty conduct.
Michael Rodgers filed suit Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming a March vote by the sheriff's merit board recommending his firing is premature and wants the order reversed.
Rodgers, of Bellwood, is accused of firing at officers during a June 2003 raid on his home.
That raid came after Rodgers' stepson, Sean Spencer, was arrested in the midst of an investigation into the shooting death of Cedric Ashford.
Rodgers, who had worked for the county since 1985 and served as a deputy sheriff at the Maywood courthouse, said that when police raided his home he feared someone was breaking in -- in retaliation for Ashford's shooting.
Careless use of weapon
He claims he fired shots into the kitchen to scare off the invaders, but when he heard they were police he dropped his gun, though Bellwood police shot him.
The criminal case against Rodgers, charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm, is pending.
The sheriff's merit board, however, voted to terminate Rodgers because of his careless use of his weapon and off-duty conduct.