BECKLEY, W.Va. — A Raleigh County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and then resigned after being found passed out in his cruiser early Wednesday morning allegedly under the influence of drugs, investigators said.
Sgt. Roger Richmond of Shady Spring, 41, was charged with DUI of a Controlled Substance and drug possession after the crash near Shady Spring Middle School.
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department Captain Larry Lilly told MetroNews Friday Sgt. Richmond had just gotten off duty at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday when he reported that he had wrecked his cruiser. When deputies arrived on scene to investigate they found Richmond under the influence, Lilly said.
Deputies found a short straw in between Richmond’s legs, a device usually used to ingest crushed pills. They also found Xanax pills in the cruiser.
The situation is very upsetting but the behavior can in no way be tolerated, Lilly said.
“We try to weed out folks who do things like this out and when we don’t we hold those folks accountable,” Lilly said.
Richmond, a deputy for more than 12 years, came to the sheriff’s department Thursday to resign. He was then arrested, Lilly said.
“We want him to get the help that he needs. We certainly don’t want his life destroyed, however the sheriff’s office can’t tolerate that type of action from its employees,” Lilly said.
Richmond is free on bond awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Captain Lilly said the department is thankful no one else was hurt in the accident and its quick action should send a message to the public.
“We do hold our deputies accountable and if they commit a crime or do something they are not supposed to do—-they are held accountable,” he said.
Lilly added he was not aware of any previous problems Richmond may have had. He added the Raleigh County Prosecutor’s Office would decide if there needed to be a review of the criminal cases that Richmond had investigated.