Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jun 2000
Source: Florida Times-Union (FL)
Copyright: The Florida Times-Union 2000
Contact:  http://www.times-union.com/
Forum: http://cafe.jacksonville.com/cafesociety.html
Author: Jim Schoettler and Kathleen Sweeney

POLICE OFFICER RESIGNS IN INVESTIGATION WAKE

A Jacksonville police officer sent home by Sheriff Nat Glover during a 
federal grand jury investigation into police misconduct has resigned, 
ending his eight-year career at the Sheriffj's Office.

Officer Karl Waldon quit while still being paid and didn't give a reason in 
a resignation letter he sent to Glover on Wednesday. Glover has stripped 
four other officers of their guns and badges during the 18-month grand jury 
probe, which is ongoing. One of those officers was sent home, while three 
others have been assigned to desk duty.

Waldon, 37, made his resignation official Thursday, according to police 
personnel records.

"I have been honored to be a member of the Sheriff's Office and to serve 
the citizens of the community for the past eight years," Waldon wrote in 
his resignation letter. "After great reflection and much prayer, my family 
and I have decided that I should now pursue other professional objectives."

Glover assigned Waldon to desk duty in April and sent him home with no 
further police duties 10 days ago. Glover didn't explain the moves in 
either case.

Waldon recently moved from his Northside apartment, where he lived with his 
wife, and he couldn't be reachedfor comment. His attorney, Hank Coxe, said 
Waldon's decision to quit has nothing to do with the grand jury 
investigation, though he declined to comment further.

"It's a personal decision he and his wife made, unconnected to anything 
else," Coxe said.

Glover declined to discuss details of Waldon's resignation.

"It's always unfortunate when I receive a letter of a young officers' 
retirement, but beyond that, I wouldn't like to make any further comment," 
Glover said.

The investigation began after allegations were made that police were 
tipping drug dealers and has expanded to include possible police 
involvement in other misconduct and crimes, including two homicides and at 
least three robberies. No charges have been filed, and police and 
prosecutors have refused to discuss details of the case.

Waldon is among a handful of officers who've been subpoenaed to testify 
before the grand jury, which has not completed its work. Glover ordered 
Waldon sent home June 5, as well as reassigning Officers Reginald Bones and 
Jason Pough to desk duty. Officer Eric Maddox was reassigned to desk duty 
in August, while Officer Aric Sinclair was taken off the streets and sent 
home in February.

Neither police nor prosecutors would say how the officers are linked to the 
probe, which involves a task force of federal, state and local police agents.
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