Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron terminated Deputy First Class David Adam Goff’s employment with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department effective Sept.4.  The termination was conducted in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights and Maryland law.

Goff, a suspended deputy sheriff with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s department, was found neither guilty nor not guilty in District Court on August 17. Goff was charged with assault second degree and driving under the influence of alcohol in regards to an altercation in which the then off-duty officer was involved on May 13.

In August, Cameron reported that because the judge ordered probation before judgment there was no conviction, and his department could take no action at that time. Rather, Goff, by law, would remain on suspension with pay until September, when he would go before the Police Hearing Board. The Board could suspend the charges against Goff or recommend further action be taken, opening the way for Sheriff Cameron to make the final decision in Goff’s case.

In regards to Cameron’s decision regarding the Sept. 4 termination, the sheriff’s office reports that Goff did not appear before the Police Hearing Board as he waived his rights, leaving the decision regarding his future in the sheriff’s hands.  Goff was terminated with cause … in accordance with violations listed in the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.

The original charges against Goff were made by the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Professional Responsibilities after an investigation of the May 13 incident. The investigation determined that on that day and while off duty, Goff drove his personal vehicle southbound on state Route 235 in the area of Mattapany Road in Lexington Park. He observed and stopped an ATV operated by Shane Weasenforth. An argument ensued.

Weasenforth allegedly spit at Goff and drove off. Goff flagged down an on-duty deputy sheriff, who located Weasenforth. Goff exited the on-duty deputy’s vehicle and approached Weasenforth. According to investigators, Weasenforth attempted to strike Goff at that time.

He struggled briefly when taken to the ground by both officers, but ceased struggling when the officers handcuffed him. Nonetheless, Goff continued striking Weasenforth in the head.

Off-duty sheriff’s BCI Commander Lt. Rick Burris arrived on the scene during the incident. After observing Goff acting inappropriately, he immediately initiated a preliminary investigation and directed Goff be removed to a nearby location where he was administered a Preliminary Breath Test.

Probable cause was developed to suggest Goff had operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Goff was transported to the sheriff’s office for further investigation by the Bureau of Professional Responsibilities. The BPR and the state’s attorney’s office later agreed on charges.

Goff was charged with assault second degree and driving and attempting to drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and appeared in District Court in Leonardtown.  He received the judge’s ruling on Aug. 17.

For the charge of assault second degree, Goff was given probation before judgment and received an unsupervised, three-year probation ending in August 2011. He also received 10 days in jail, eight of which were suspended.

For driving and attempting to drive a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, Goff also received probation before ju