You're kidding; right?

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
November 2, 2010

Isn't life interesting? Just when the heat is on the sheriff to run a professional department (CALEA accreditation pending, don't you know?), something like this happens.

I'm still gathering details, but I've learned that an intoxicated off-duty deputy of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department rolled a pick-up truck on Sunday, October 31, about 3:30AM near Maguire Road and Alden Road. He was apparently on the way home from a party, and he had been encouraged not to drive and had been offered a ride home.

Supposedly, the McHenry County Sheriff's Department and Woodstock Fire Rescue District responded. The intoxicated driver was still belted in the upside-down vehicle on arrival.

Now here is the kicker. Apparently, he was given a ride home without citations!

He was expected to work on Sunday morning. Is there any rule at MCSD as to the number of hours immediately before a work shift during which alcohol is not to be consumed? In the airlines business, it's called "from-bottle-to-throttle"; is there a similar rule for deputies? If not, there ought to be. Do we want an intoxicated or impaired deputy driving a patrol car, wearing a uniform and carrying a gun?

If this is true, then there are a road deputy and at least one supervisor in need of heavy discipline. And any supervisor on up the food chain who had knowledge of the crash and allowed the driver to be taken home, instead of to the hospital for a BAC test and examination.

Was the Illinois State Police called to investigate, as would be advisable when a deputy, on- or off-duty is involved in a crash that involved alcohol? They are called to eliminate (well, at least "reduce") the favoritism that might be shown when a supervisor investigates a crash involving a subordinate or fellow employee.

Think about what would happen to you, if you wrecked your vehicle after a night of drinking. Police report, blood-alcohol test, arrest, bond, information to the press. See anything in the Northwest Herald yesterday or today?

Maybe it's not true. Maybe it's just a tip that was passed along to me, trying to sandbag me on Election Day. Somehow, I don't think so; but, if it was, I'll be sure to apologize without delay.