PARIS, Maine (AP) A Maine sheriff’s deputy has been fired following an investigation in which he was alleged to have shot off the tip of his finger while drinking off-duty on St. Patrick’s Day.
Oxford County Sheriff James Theriault says Deputy Stephen Witham was on paid leave. The county commission voted Wednesday to uphold Theriault’s decision to fire him. He said it was based on a number of policy violations.
The Sun Journal reports Witham is the only deputy trained to handle the department’s K-9, and Therialt says he plans to recommend disbanding the unit for now.
A spokesman for the labor union that represents Witham has disputed the allegations. He said the union plans to file a grievance and take the firing to arbitration, if necessary.
