TRENTON, Ga. – Sheriff Patrick Cannon fired a Dade County deputy who was arrested after admitting he grabbed his estranged wife during an argument.
“We want the public to know we’re going to police our own the same as we police them,” Dade County Chief Deputy Jackie Womack said. “We’re going to treat our people no different than if you worked at Walmart.”
Former sheriff’s deputy Steven Pryor was charged with simple battery Tuesday evening after a two-day internal investigation, then fired after he was arrested, Womack said.
No one answered the door at Pryor’s Trenton home on Wednesday and other attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
When an employee at the sheriff’s office talked with Pryor’s wife Monday, she mentioned that the couple had a fight on Sept. 19 and said Pryor had grabbed her during the argument, Womack said.
While Pryor didn’t hit her, the act of “unwanted touch” is considered simple battery under the Family Violence Act, Womack said.
After posting a $2,500 bond, Pryor, who has worked at the sheriff’s office for five years and made about $28,000 a year, was fired, Womack said.
During the investigation, Pryor, known as Buster in the department, and his wife were interviewed and both told the same story, Womack said. Both said it was a one-time incident.
Pryor’s wife told police she didn’t want to press any charges, Womack said, but her request could not be the only factor taken into consideration when dealing with family violence.
“We felt like we really had no other choice,” he said.
This is the first time there have been problems with Pryor, Womack said.
“We’ve never had any issues with Buster,” he said. “He’s just an average officer who comes to work, does his job then goes home.”
Before working at the sheriff’s office, Pryor was in the Navy from 1993 to 1997, his sheriff’s job application shows. After leaving the Navy, he joined the Georgia National Guard, according to the application.
The Georgia National Guard could not confirm Pryor’s status on Wednesday.
“We don’t immediately discharge someone for being arrested,” said retired Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski, Georgia National Guard spokesman. “There are a number of things that go into consideration.”
Contact Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jlukachick.
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