Investigation Continues into Former Deputy Sheriff

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- On Monday, Grady County Sheriff Art Kell confirmed to NEWS 9 he had dismissed a deputy after receiving credible information that the deputy had committed a criminal offense in the performance of his duty.

The following day, the sheriff provided a little more information about why he fired Deputy David Jacobs.

Sheriff Kell said the investigation into David Jacobs began in early March.

"First of all, he came into our office and was explaining some ordeal that happened," Kell said. "My undersheriff and my lieutenant looked at it and decided that there was something more to it....and they conducted their investigation and found of the evidence was there."

The Sheriff didn't provide any further details, but the OSBI has been called in to conduct a theft investigation.

"Sheriff Kell and his administration handles this case in the appropriate fashion," Grady County District Attorney Bret Burns said. "They didn't try to hide it or sweep it under the rug."

Before joining Grady County, Jacobs had worked for two small town police departments. He had been a Grady County deputy for just over a year when the Sheriff fired him.

"It was very difficult," Kell said. "He was a very well thought of deputy that, you know, did his job real well, and we just feel like that this is where it stops."

The Sheriff said he won't tolerate wrongdoing by his officers.

The District Attorney expects the investigation to be finished in two weeks, which is when he'll decide whether to file charges or not.