Sheriff’s deputy fired after internal charges

5/21/2013

A Lucas County sheriff’s deputy was fired Monday after a slew of internal charges were filed against her.

Dionne Waters, an 18-year veteran of the department, was charged with three counts of “any just or reasonable cause,” discourteous treatment, neglect of duty, and truthfulness, said Internal Affairs Capt. Donald Atkinson. The exact circumstances of the charges, which were filed by other sheriff’s office employees, was not immediately clear.

The captain said the reasonable cause charge meant Ms. Waters violated orders or directives from the sheriff that are otherwise not printed in an employee rules and regulations handbook.

Ms. Waters, 43, worked in the jail. The captain said a review board met May 13 to discuss the charges. A recommendation was made to terminate Ms. Waters, which Sheriff John Tharp accepted.