Jefferson Police Department officer Stephen Taylor who got into a bar fight while off duty, was charged Tuesday in connection with the incident. Taylor was charged with one count of misdemeanor battery. He turned himself in to the Jackson County Jail Tuesday and bonded out on a $2,000 bond.
Taylor remains on administrative leave without pay from the JPD after being involved in an altercation at Mike’s Down Under bar. JPD Chief Joe Wirthman said Wednesday that Taylor will remain on paid leave while the department does an internal investigation of the incident. JPD Major Dave Hill is doing the internal probe, he said.
Taylor and James Tyler Beck, 22, reportedly got into a shoving contest at the bar around midnight on Aug. 24 over comments about the color of Taylor’s shirt.
In Beck’s version of events to JPD officers who responded to the incident, he said he had made a comment to a third party in the bar about Taylor’s pink shirt. The comment was not made in Taylor’s presence, he said, but someone told Taylor about it.
Beck said he stood up to leave the bar when Taylor confronted him about the pink shirt comments. Beck said he put his hand on Taylor’s shoulder and told him he didn’t want any problems, but that Taylor responded by pushing him in the chest and then hitting him with a closed fist on the left side of the face.
Taylor told officers that Beck had pushed him and that he acted in self-defense. He said the incident had stemmed from a verbal altercation he blamed on Beck, saying Beck was upset over a woman who was "hanging out" with him.
A blood alcohol test of both men taken by the JPD reportedly showed Taylor at .183 while Beck was .00.
It's in the personal Manual Mr.Ward . By not doing so you concede your case against the former chief...if you fire one for misconduct then hold them all accountable.
Which Judge signed the warrant?
I guess this will be in State Court?
Now about the incident. According to Beck, he was the first to make contact in an admitted heated situation. All that is necessary for a viable defense is for Taylor to say he felt threatened by the contact, which he obviously did and defended himself. In the eyes of the law that how it works and how it's supposed to work. People cannot just come up to you and place their hands on you period! It does not matter if Stephen is a police officer or not, he is protected like everyone else. It is a crying shame he has to go through something like this to SHOW everyone he did nothing wrong. This man (Taylor) is truly the victim of having to prove his innocence rather than being proven guilty. I understand it has to happen this way, it’s just wrong. Sorry Taylor.
Go ahead and give it your best shot,,, you will not win this one!
Bottom line, if Taylor struck first, he needs to call Brad and start cutting grass.
This country is going down the tubes faster than I ever imagined.
And as far as Jeffeson being a more professional organization it is only a illusion their just better at covering up their actions now.
Jefferson PD hasn't changed just the players... and Steven Taylor will still get away with things that other officers cannot.
If this guy was in charge everybody would have been treated the same, he already ran a 91 man police department while serving in the military and received awards for it, I've personally seen them.
Steven Taylor is a product of Jefferson, so is Wirthman, David Hill, and certainly Bannister. If you truly want change get rid of those three. If not all you will get it continued negative press because are truly hiding their real colors.
You three need to resign!!! we are paying you to much if you can't figure out that Steven Taylor is in the wrong. He continues to get away with things that other officers get written up for or in my friends case forced to resign... were is the honor in that?
Jefferson citizens need to wake up and ask for the leaderships resignation....and find a chief that has a good foundation that encompasses Honor, Courage and Commitment.. something these three individuals LACK!!!!
I can't believe I'm paying for their salaries out of my taxes, its a travesty..... I hope POST takes Stevens Certification....so that Jefferson at the very least can't retain him....
you are an idiot and it is people like you I refer to when I say thank God you're not in charge. Due process is State Law. If they were fired then they had to have due process. Yes Georgia is a right to work state, but as I mentioned public safety is afforded this due process right.
I don't understand your indignant remarks, can you make your point (other than not knowing the law) without looking so asinine? A GBI investigation is not due process, it’s an investigation. Due process allows one to confront and cross examine witnesses.
And if you resign then you are not fired (duh) and you don’t get the due process protection…you quit.
Open up one more time and let us all know how smart you really are.
Now, who picked David Hill, I seem to recall it was supposed to be a selection process. From my understanding Joe first choice ducked out...Hmm. I wonder why? And the second selection process never came to frution. This is because Worthless Wirthman... as usual lost his fortitude and surcumbed to laziness. Their where several officer's within the PD that could have filled the Major's role. Instead of getting the Overspending dead beat of a Man David Hill. Who himself ran another city police department in the ground and escaped the press because he handed it off once he new he destroyed the city financially. This is the leadership thats in Jefferson PD. It is my understanding that David Hill advanced education is even being paid for by the city..like his new Tahoe...that he didn't need but was to big to get into...new $15,000 golf car.. it goes on and on...it is my understanding that he is a poor excuse for a leader... leadership by IA.
Steven Taylor made his own bed now he has to live with it. He was following suit of his leadership.
But why has Worthless Wirthman decided to continue to pay him with my taxes..I will be at the next city council meeting to deal with this issue. It is because he cannot lead..its really that simple. This was a no brainer JOE!!! You have gotten rid of many other Officer's for just making a bad decision... why is TAYLOR any different...oh...because he committed a crime....so that is now a person worth retaining....
As an example of just one of many less than ethical situaitons, anyone that refuses a urinalysis after a minor wreck, which is standard SOP in most departments would be terminated, but not Steven! Obviously Jefferson PD has established Situational Leadership!! This is the reality, The Chief, the Major, and Lt. Banister new of this refusal AND DID NOTHING!! Two other officers that where involved in minor accidents went through the ringer because they where not White Anglican in descent or looks, one was forced to resign and the other left on his on accord because he saw the writing on the wall. Both of these fine officers have moved onto different departments. If you think JPD administrators are looking out for you! You would be wrong, they are only thinking about themselves and what is in it for them. This clearly manifested itself, when both top administrators spent roughly $60,000 on new tahoes which they clearly didn't need. They were both driving less than 1 year old vehicles at the time they purchased the two new ones. Within the same month they both approved the purchase of a $15,000 golf car, not concerned with the economic crisis or fiscally responsible, this is who is leading your Police Department!! Immediately after these purchases, it was instructed by the top brass that a meager raise would not be in the cards for the officers or staff. How can you possibly justify the purchase of these non-essential vehicles and turn around and inform your subordinates they are not worthy of a very minsecule raise? Major Hill Your this biggest offender!!! you hide behind your size and rank... and you are clearly the most subversive of the three over there!! You overtly treat retired military veterans with distain, and anyone else that might challenge you limited intellect!!! Your not only a poor excuse of a leader, but as a human being as well!!
You and Steven are one of the Same!! Steven has finally been called out on his vicarious actions!! Your day will come to!! You have to many skeleton's in the closet. I hope I'm still in this world when they are exposed and you are held accountable for your actions!!!
Jefferson PD has managed to embarras the city once again, its community members and itself!! This appears to be the Norm in our city. This is a clear cut case, GBI affirmed it, and we are still paying Taylor's salary... I think its time to question the ability to lead in this department and find a Chief and Major that can make accurate, and proactive decisions based of fact not a popularity contest which appears to be the case!! I want to know what is so special about this guy, since you didn't seem to have any problem getting rid of much better officers for far lesser offenses!!!
Makes me wonder it should for everyone else as well... City Council Members, Mayor, and City Manager..?
I will close by saying this, Chief, Major and Lt. you should reflect back to the days you where sworn in and the statement you recited. If you truly felt compelled to follow the meaning of the statement, you three would have already resigned!!!! You are not able to live up to your obligations, its a simple as that!!!
Mike Buffington!! you intial evaluation of Chief Wirthman was correct, he goes around bragging that he can manipulate you at will.
I bet you time will prove of his profound ability to be deceptive as well, just open up your eyes and listen to former officers and the community, they are accurate in there critical assesment of the leadership.
As a final word, how can you place a guy in a Lt. position with no leadership training and was fired from Clarke County because he couldn't even complete the Field Training Program.. This is the caliber of the leadership in this very biased department!!!
Oh.. one more thing,, I've been told the city is paying for the Major's degree program? I want to know if this is true? Mike...please find out!!!
On another note, what it up with this veteran that got fired or was told to leave? And the hostility toward Dave Hill, where did that come from? No one was saying anything about him before all of this.
And the last question, if Stephen is fired and found not guilty at trial and on the IA, don't you think he would have legal action against the city? It's best to pay him and wait, you got to see that.
As far as the officer arrested If your not going to fire him for conduct unbecoming an officer, he should be put on administrative leave WITHOUT pay pending the termination or the adjudication of the charges. That is what I would do, but I’m sure Chief Wirthman and Major Hill have much more information than any of us.
The news paper prints anything to sell news papers to increase the ads they sell. That is the nature of print media. Don’t believe everything you read, it may or may not be 100% accurate. They get their information just like we do, from people that was at Mike’s Grill the night of the incident. I bet everyone at the bar put their own spin on the fight. They all may be telling the truth, but slanted in different directions.
Second, if you are insecure with your masculinity you probably should not wear a pink shirt. I have no problems with insecurity, I love to wear my pink shirt every now and then! If I did that and thought that NO ONE would have at least a passing comment about it I would be a total idiot!
Not the spelling errors or grammar!! You are the ass, because you are harping on the wrong thing. Try a English writing forum!!!
People who are successful in life do not misspell words, nor do they use incorrect grammar.
Those who remain at a lower station at life (such as myself) often display poor use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Now to make fun of one's medical condition is hitting below the belt and my husband would never stoop that low to insult anyone in that manner. My father is in a wheelchair and has been for twenty-two years. You want to pop of jokes or make fun of him. I dare you! If you all would like to know my husband is a survivor of cancer. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2003 and had to have his right testicle removed. Does this make him less of a man? I think not, he is more of a man than you guys who hide behind these fictitious names because you don't want anyone knowing who you are. It's easy to talk trash when your not facing the person your talking about. So man up and tell us who you are. Confront my husband and see how he'll handle the matter. I bet he won't assault you!!!
For those not happy with the current administration of J.P.D., stop whining and complaining and do something about it. Get off you butts and go to City Hall, Council Meetings and get petitions signed to be heard. Other wise, Shut up!
I challenge the person degrading my husband to list his or her name. If you don't you're a coward. Oh, by the way my husband has not posted anything on this or the other blog and has instructed his Detective not to either regardless of the things being said.
I will always stand by my man and Police Officer.
It is one thing to stand up for your husband, but it’s another to do what you accomplished in your post. Your post seems to indicate your husband comes home and runs his mouth to his wife about work. Which is fine as long as the wife can keep it to herself. But not you, bragging about how fast he was promoted and how well he did on his exam on a public blog. He obviously told you he “ranked #1” and now you need to let all of us know…who cares! If he’s that great then he doesn’t need you bragging. The “mess” he had to clean up is not the public’s business. Especially since Taylor was the mess he had to clean up. So he came home complained about CID and the mess the Chief let it get in because of who he had in there, and you have to tell the whole public about how your husband saved the CID. Your husband is a successful cop, he has thick skin and whatever is said about him on the blog he can handle. There’s no need in talking about his cancer, we don’t care and furthermore I don’t see anyone who mentioned anything about his medical condition. Your husband “instructed his detective not to post”, you should follow his instruction too. You made him look like a fool. Leave the JPD’s personal affairs out of the paper it does no one any good and it defeated your original purpose.
Who are you talking about in your post?
and listen. the more i notice that people have forgotten how to have fun. i think all
of you panty wasted a holes should get a life. maybe try living a little. instead of living
your pathetic life you had rather get jacked up on coffee and stay up all night trying to
ruin this young mans career. maybe since it is so important that you make sure a
great officer in our community gets fired, you should see the tape from the bar.
I hope that makes some sense and answers your question.
Joe Wirthman, why do you feel compelled to still pay this guy and sit at home.
Lest you not forget this is not your money you are spending on this Sgt. Thug... but the tax payers... Maybe it ought to come out your salaries, yours and the Major since you feel so compelled to keep him around and spend more money that is not yours!!!! John Ward why haven't you stepped in? This would be the time...Maybe its because Steven all has something on the leadership as well?
what do you people think would happen if they fired him just because he was arrested and then he had his day in court and was found not guilty by a jury of his peers. he would have a wrongful discharge suite.
And this is where the problem lies!!
Why is Steven Taylor getting preferential treatment PEROID?
It doesn't take but a few seconds to understand what is going on. He is supposed to carry himself better than the average citizen as a police officer. But he is a Sergeant in charge of men, So he must be even better than a regular road officer.
This is the truth of the matter Steven has just finally gotten CAUGHT!!! bottom line!!! and now the leadership is compelled to keep this officer..
My Question is How will he ever arrest a person now for anything dealing with physical violence in the city of Jefferson, since this is predominantly most of the service calls?
They would lose every case he tried to prosecute involving Domestic Violence and Battery etc.. if he is the prosecuting Officer.
Joe Wirthman you know he is now ineffective as a officer in the City because of his actions. He has breached the trust of the community and its member through Morale Turpitude and has violated and the very least your mission statement and oath of office.
As far as due process or right to work.. no other officer's in Joe Wirthmans command other than his own florida boy Daren Mace has been given such privelage. WHY?????????
I feel it would be more appropriate to call it a right to display favoritism!!! AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE!!!!
Jefferson PD,,is no different the Pendergrass there both Corrupt.. and need a change of leadership....and find someone that knows how to apply policy to ALL not just the selected few....
The Cheif has an obligation to everyone in this instance. Including Steven Taylor. As one person stated so elequently, allow due process to play out. That is usually how justice is properly served.
I find the opportunistic insults of other members of the Police Dept to be unfair. Lt. Bannister happens to be, regardless of what someone would think, a fine man and Police officer. I know him personally and can tell you he would run in a burning house or step in front of a bullet for a citizen. I also believe that of Major Hill, Joe Wirthman, Sgt. McNatt AND Darren Glenn. That's right, I said it. I associated a positive thought about two people, not supposedly able to be mentioned in the same sentence with one another.
I don't have an opinion (to place here) about Steven Taylor's innocence or guilt due to the fact that one of our most precious rights, the one that assures that we cannot be assumed guilty until a court of law says so, must be protected. Oh sure, it's easy when it is someone else being persecuted to assume. Assuming can be the biggest mistake we can make in almost instances. It violates the "look before you leap" rule without a doubt.
Does this opinion mean I defend Steven Taylor? No. It means I defend his rights!!! Be mindful, rights aren't free. We pay for them every day. I know Steven. Know him pretty well. I have an opinion but I would not place it here on rather he was guilty or innocent. This is not the place for that. A courtroom is.
In addition, the attacks of people's personal integrity over this issue is redundent. What does it do other than make folks look like they are incapable of finding common ground. Just the fact that this situation seemed to serve as a means of re-hashing every single issue related to the Police department from years past shows that to be true.
Jan McNatt's note defending her husband was very moving! Had to throw that in. He is a great guy. I miss seeing him as much as I used to. We've had some interesting chats.
Having said these things I am mindful that a Police Department is obligated to the citizens it serves. Chief Worthman is the head of that effort. So long as he has given his word to see that in the end, the right thing will be done, at the proper time, and he knows he remains responsible to said citizens for the outcome, where is the problem?
That is my two cents worth. However, here are a few corrections to previously mentioned entries.
The golf cart appears to me to be a great working tool. Hence.....July 4th, public gatherings, etc,...
The Tahoes. Ah.....drug money! We have to spend it. It saves us thousands but somehow folks don;t see that! All you are looking at is that they are nice vehicles. Do you want to give it to the City of Douglasville. How about Valdosta? Savannah perhaps. That is where it will go if you don't spend it.
OK...my note is now ready for the Grammar Police! LOL
I would like to see a school for police officers. It should be mandated at least 2 years of college. That would weed out many of the bad ones. But no one's perfect. I should know.
Usually, in a first offense situation, the defendant is allowed to plead guilty and then serve some probation. When the probation is successfully completed the defendant's criminal record is sealed. I hope that is what happens in this case. One mistake should not ruin a man's career.
We have far bigger problems in this troubled land.
Mandating 2 years of college would weed out the bad ones.....How do you figure?
You must not read the athens paper, it is full of the intelligent things college students do EVERYDAY. the one in there today tells of a student that was walking to class and saw a BAT on the ground. Instead of calling animal control he decided to PICK IT UP. I can see where college makes a person do better things.
College may make a person book smarter but not wiser
College studies teach a person to logically move through a system. It requires basic stuff that high school often misses. Someone who can not focus or has false logic couldn't make it. Wisdom, I agree, has a separate definition.
I would like to see police officers better trained. Don't get me wrong. I think the majority of police officers are great but even a couple bad ones affect the whole community. They carry guns. For that reason alone I would want more scrutiny for those who legally shoot people.
elequently is eloquently
redundent is redundant
don;t is don't
and several fragments
Do you tow cars for the JPD(you sound a little bias)? By the way...I didn't think Bannister was that fast(really, step in front of a bullet?). I have seen him play softball. HAHAHA! And does it matter if the citizen is legal or not? Just checking.
I agree with your post. However, I wouldn't expect it to resolve anything on a blog. The corrections are for your humor.
I believe the Chief and Major have better sense than that.
Research before you comment because you make yourself look foolish.
Get your story straight. If you're gonna bring my name into something make sure you get it right. Be a man and ask me what really happened at Commerce and get the whole story. If you look you'll find that I wasn't fired! I have moved on to another agency and would appreciate you keeping my name out of something that you have know clue about......
Chad
Your a good guy, but you are also delusional!!
JPD administrators are the WORST I've had the displeasure to encounter.
Lt. Bannister is wasting valuable air, he couldn't lead himself out of a paper bag!!
He is a liability in itself!!! He has always been up the leadership rear end and will probably remain their until he retires or forced to retire.
Major Hill, embodies everything that is wrong about leadership!!! He rules through intimidation and enjoys it.. He is a arrogant Ass that needs to find a new profession. He exemplifies the "I" in team concept.
Chief Wirthman, maybe you should have stayed in Florida and stayed in charge of IA's, because you certainly have no buisness being in charge of a department. Some people are born to lead, some to follow you are certainly the latter!!!
Quit shrugging your responsibility when difficult decisions have to be made and MAKE THEM!!!
I find it fascinating that the city of Jefferson Police Department can never get their act together!! Ponder on this for a second!!!
If the only thing that is changing is the road officers, and the leadership does not, and the same misconduct continues to exist,, just maybe its not the road officers but the leadership that the problem......They are the paradigm or the viscious circle....
Well it is my opinion that its time for a paradigm shift...again...
Cut the head of the snake and get someone in that will make decisions.. because that what we pay our chief of police for in the first place isnt it?
Otherwise we will continue to be embarrassed as usual.......it has become Status Quo in the past couple of years....
Now the next should be you MAJOR, you personally supported Taylor knowing he would be trouble and was a great liability for the city of Jefferson.
Hope you find your way out to MAJOR!!! You've earned it...your a poor excuse of a leader and Human Being...You and Steven Taylor deserve to be in the same unemployment line.
I’m curious Joe, how did David Hill find himself into that position in the first place, when it requires a degree at a minimum. But yet he wormed his way into that position, from a failed Hoschton Police Department and a Sgt. in Jackson County, he has no leadership training.
His former police department was sacrificed due to his inability to lead, and of course his lack of intellect…Now the tax payers like me in the City of Jefferson have furnished him with a $45,000 Tahoe, a $15,000 golf cart, and of course we are paying for his degree program from my understanding. Don’t worry Joe I will be sending my boys tuition bill since we are now offering this to supposed key employees….
I’m glad you are spending my hard earned tax dollars so efficiently!!!
It funny Joe, that your Major can go around bad mouthing you all the time…. and he still works there,,, who has their head in the sand?
May be you should use more situational awareness when you hire someone that is so arrogant!!!! Whether you are aware or not,, he his a detriment to your position as Chief.. and lets everyone else know except YOU!!! I can think of several officers’ that could have filled that position easily like Arwood, Miller, Smith, and McNatt… before choosing that PUTZ or SLUG…..MAJOR Hill.
OPEN YOUR EYES JOE, you have a good heart,, but you are walking around blindly…He will eventually cost you your career! He is spending his days soliciting for your Chief’s position....
YOu might want to call and ask about the tahoe and the golf cart, neither was purchased with CITY FUNDS.
The Tahoe was bought with money taken from drug dealers(as were the other 3 Tahoes) and CORY SMITH did a concert and gave the police department the money for the Golf cart. Call the police department and ASK QUESTIONS, I do.