This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy » Timothy Brewer came home to find his father having sex with his wife, so Brewer attacked and pistol-whipped him.
Later that July day, Brewer also hit an officer who was trying to keep him from going to the hospital where his father was being treated. At the time of the assault, Brewer was a Grand County Sheriff's deputy — so his case ultimately went before a police regulatory council to decide whether he should keep his law enforcement certification.
"I've regretted every day since this incident happened, when I walked upstairs and saw what I saw," an apologetic Brewer on Wednesday told the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) "… This is the second worst day of my life."
In the criminal case, Brewer had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of assault and assault against a police officer and was sentenced to probation.
Brewer managed to keep his certification Wednesday, but only by a single vote.
Instead of revoking his certification, as had been recommended, the POST Council suspended Brewer for four years
Following the suspension, he will have to go back through the police academy if he wants to wear a badge again.
Jonathan Tesch of the Weber County Sheriff's Office also spoke on his own behalf before the council, which is made up of Utah police chiefs, sheriffs and other department heads.
Tesch had sex while on duty, a violation punishable by a three-year suspension.
"I will learn from this experience. I will grow from this experience," said Tesch, who asked for leniency, adding that he has been an exemplary officer and has dedicated half his life to law enforcement.
The council had received a letter of support from Weber County Sheriff Terry Thompson, who claimed the violation was "an anomaly" in his character, according to Weber County Commissioner Curtis Gibson. The commissioner suggested that the council reduce Tesch's suspension to 18 months.
But when it came to a vote, the POST council still decided on three years.
The council also issued three letters of caution Wednesday. One went to a Utah Department of Corrections employee who bagged five fish while ice fishing, exceeding the legal limit of four.
The second letter went to a Utah State Hospital Police Department officer for harassing his ex-mother-in-law, and the third went to a Division of Wildlife Resources officer for the unlawful taking of protected wildlife.
Other officers were also disciplined at the Wednesday meeting.
Department of Corrections » Robert Wallis; electronic communication harassment and disorderly conduct, 1-year suspension
Layton Police » Tracey L. Wells, unfit for duty, indefinite suspension pending an ability to show she is fit for duty
Police cadet » Brandon Bexell; domestic violence and lying in connection with an investigation, revocation
Sanpete County Sheriff's » Rodney Hodson; assault, two-year suspension
Syracuse Police » Tracy Jensen; falsifying or altering a government record, 2-year suspension
Syracuse Police » Larry Carver; Bureau of Criminal Identification violation, 1-year suspension
Unemployed at the time » Jamie Olsen; assault and public intoxication, two-year suspension
Unemployed at the time » Jason C. Golightly; driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, open container in a vehicle, 18-month suspension
Unified Police » Blake Day; theft, retail theft, possession of a controlled substance, falsely obtaining/dispensing prescription drugs, impersonating a police officer and violating Bureau of Criminal Identification rules, revocation
Twitter: @mikeypanda