A former deputy with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was fired after body camera footage showed fellow deputies questioning him about damage to his patrol vehicle.
Deputies Questioned Damage to Patrol Car
The video, recorded during a traffic stop in August 2025, showed deputies examining a large scrape and dent on the patrol car.
The deputy told coworkers he “scraped it coming out of somebody’s house,” but struggled to clearly explain where or how the damage happened.
When asked where the incident occurred, the deputy reportedly replied that it was “somewhere in Waterloo.”
Explanation Changed During Conversation
According to the footage, the deputy initially suggested he hit a shed while leaving a property. As questioning continued, his explanation became unclear.
Other deputies repeatedly asked:
- When the damage occurred
- Why it had not been reported
- What exactly was struck
Officials later clarified the deputy actually struck a rural fire station building in Laurens County, not a shed.
Sheriff’s Office Confirmed Termination
The sheriff’s office said scratches were found on the fire station, though fire officials chose not to pursue further action.
Authorities confirmed the deputy was ultimately fired over the way the incident was handled.
Expert Raises Accountability Concerns
Geneice Mondé, a professor specializing in police interactions, reviewed the footage and said the deputy’s calm reaction and unclear answers could raise concerns with the public.
Mondé said regular drivers are expected to immediately report crashes, adding that accountability is especially important for law enforcement officers.
She also pointed to the actions of the other deputies as a positive example of internal accountability, saying their continued questioning helped ensure the issue was addressed.
