Sheriff's sergeant demoted over fire official's arrest

 

Dallas County: He failed to de-escalate traffic dispute, superiors rule
 

 

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, January 26, 2008

 

By KEVIN KRAUSE / The Dallas Morning News
kkrause@dallasnews.com

 

A Dallas County sheriff's sergeant who arrested a Dallas Fire-Rescue chief last week during a traffic stop has been demoted over the incident.

Brian Rayburn stopped Michael Jones, a battalion chief, on Jan. 15 for allegedly speeding on Interstate 30 in Garland. After an altercation, Deputy Rayburn arrested Chief Jones on a misdemeanor charge of interference with public duties.

Deputy Rayburn's supervisor had concerns about the arrest and ordered Chief Jones released before he could be booked at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.

Deputy Rayburn was recently promoted to sergeant. This week, during a probationary hearing, a board consisting of officers in Deputy Rayburn's chain of command decided to demote him to deputy.

The decision was based on his "poor judgment and decision-making," according to sheriff's spokesman Michael Ortiz.

Deputy Rayburn failed to control and de-escalate the situation, he said.

Deputy Rayburn also did not complete a report on the incident, as ordered by his supervisors, Deputy Ortiz said.

Chief Jones faces no criminal charges or traffic citations stemming from the incident.