By Daimon Duggar
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. – A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper in the Chattanooga District was fired this week after an internal investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
Tennessee Department of Safety spokesman Mike Browning said Trooper Steven Bourque, 37, was served with a “minimum due process” letter for termination on Monday.
“The internal investigation concluded that Trooper Bourque engaged in conduct unbecoming while on duty in Marion County, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010,” Browning wrote. “The investigation also concluded that Trooper Bourque had been untruthful to his supervisor and OPR investigators about the inappropriate conduct.”
Browning could not be reached by phone or e-mail Thursday to provide specifics about Bourque’s conduct.
Bourque, who joined the THP in June 2002, was placed on administrative leave with pay on Aug. 20 pending the resolution of the investigation.
“It is the policy of the Department of Safety to terminate any employee whenever just or legal cause exists,” Mr. Browning wrote. “On Sept. 7, Trooper Bourque [also] indicated he did wish to appeal his termination as part of the due process discussion.”
Bourque was last in the news in June 2008 when he was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic in Manchester, Tenn., during the Bonnaroo Music Festival.