A detective with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, fired after he reportedly showed up under the influence of alcohol at a public event earlier this month, has now been charged with driving under the influence.
The DUI charge was levied against Gregory Martin Cannon, 46, on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Cannon posted a bond of $2,770 the same day, according to information released by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.
An earlier statement from the agency said Cannon was terminated Sept. 13, two days after a deputy at the same event reported his suspicions to an agency supervisor.
"That Sergeant immediately notified agency Commanders who confronted the employee within minutes of the notification," the statement read. "Based upon the initial investigation, the employee, a Detective, was immediately placed on administrative leave and taken for an alcohol test by agency supervisors."
The investigation was turned over to the Office of Professional Standards at that point, according to the statement, and the findings prompted Cannon's termination.
An official with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said Cannon was on duty in an unmarked vehicle at the time of the incident.
The sheriff's office did not give a location for the event where Cannon and the deputy were on duty.
Cannon had worked for the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for almost 12 years - from Oct. 16, 2007 to Sept. 13, 2019.
"The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office takes a firm stance on misuse of alcohol or any drug by employees. Agency policy clearly prohibits the use of alcohol on duty and sets strong standards of conduct for off duty actions of its employees as well," the statement said. "Citizens of Forsyth County deserve the highest level of professionalism and any employee using alcohol on duty has betrayed that trust and will be held accountable."
Gregory Martin Cannon (Photo: Forsyth County Sheriff's Office)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/9/834953/forsyth-county-sheriffs-office-detective-fired-dui-investigation-underway