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Investigation

Sheriff says deputy will be fired for DUI

Not all agencies have zero tolerance

CREATED Jan. 13, 2012 - UPDATED: Jan. 13, 2012

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LEE COUNTY - Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott says one of his deputies will be fired after being arrested for DUI. Tracie Gaydash was arrested last night while off duty and even though it's her first offense, the Sheriff has no tolerance for officers driving under the influence. So is that fair?
Four in your Corner investigator Mike Mason finding the rules are much different at other law enforcement agencies.
We are told Gaydash has been a deputy for about ten years and when she was arrested she asked her fellow officers to cut her a break. But Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott says that's not going to happen.
43 year old tracie gaydash busted for a dui and according to the report, drivers noticed her driving her Audi down Pine Island Road in Bokeelia.

Witnesses say Gaydash was "all over the road and jumped the median." When deputies followed her, they reported seeing Gaydash's car "drifting over the white shoulder line and off the road." Officers say when they pulled her over, Gaydash admitted to drinking and failed the field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI.

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott says that's unacceptable, "I'm embarrassed but we did the right thing and we put her in jail where she belonged."

After being arrested, deputies say Gaydash told them, "(expletive) you! I hope you have nightmares tonight. This is wrong. I'm a (expletive) cop!"

Sheriff Scott says, "This isn't a person that's even remorseful that was coming forward with a problem this is a person apparently that thinks that they should have been afforded some special courtesies."

We went to Gaydash's home to get her side of the story but she refused to speak with reporters. Sheriff Scott is known for having a zero tolerance policy and says Gaydash will be fired.

We found in Charlotte County their policy states “unlawful conduct depends on individual circumstances and will be determined by the Sheriff."

In Collier County, officers are temporarily assigned to administrative duties pending the investigation and then the Sheriff decides what, if any, actions will be taken.

Gaydash refused to take a breath test and is officially on administrative leave. When the investigation is complete Sheriff Scott says she'll be out of a job.
 

3 COMMENTS

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  1. Fire her. She, as an officer, is held to the same standard as the rest of the citizenry. As an officer of the law, she should hold herself to a higher standard. She has no remorse.
  2. Alcoholism is a disease. Treat it as a sickness. Don't fire her. Everyone makes mistakes.Do not ruin her and her families life forever. This was not a violent crime.
  3. Yes, alcoholism is a disease... However, the complete disregard of human life is a crime. Is it okay to give someone a break who might have killed an innocent person? A complete failure of morals and values. It's about time I applaud the Sheriff!

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