Commissioners File Petition To Remove Lincoln Co. Sheriff From Office

Lincoln County commissioners have filed a petition to have the sheriff removed from office.

The board of commissioners’ attorney asked a judge to remove Sheriff Tim Daugherty from his post after he allegedly lied to a State Bureau of Investigation agent.

County commission Chairman Alex Patton said the petition is an irreversible step.

“We are committed to removing him from office,” he said. “He is in too deep, gone too far. The only thing I want to hear is, ‘I resign.’”

Daugherty was indicted last month on two felony counts of obstruction of justice and one misdemeanor count of lying to a law enforcement agent. The charges stem from the sheriff's involvement with a 2007 driving-while-impaired arrest.

The suspect, who is the sheriff’s current physician, was released without charges.

Daugherty’s former chief deputy was convicted on the same charges for the same incident.

But Patton said there are still more concerns.

“Each week, new issues come up. New allegations are being made,” he said.

Patton said commissioners want to know if the sheriff can account for more than 100 new guns purchased by the sheriff's office.

He said there are also questions about federal grant money for bulletproof vests, and whether the sheriff's former chief deputy was getting paid for work while on vacation.

After the October indictment, the sheriff’s attorney said he did not intend to resign. Eyewitness News tried to reach the sheriff for comment on Tuesday but could not get in contact with him.

A judge has not yet entered a ruling in the case of the petition for suspension and removal from office.

• PDF: Petition To Suspend And Remove Lincoln County Sheriff From Office

Previous Stories: October 15, 2009: Commission Votes To Remove Sheriff From Office October 14, 2009: Commission Votes To Remove Sheriff From Office October 13, 2009: Lincoln Sheriff Denies Charges, Refuses To Step Down October 12, 2009: Lincoln Co. Sheriff Indicted On Obstruction Of Justice Charges September 30, 2009: Lincoln Co. Chief Deputy Found Guilty Of Obstruction Of Justice September 29, 2009: Sheriff Under Fire During Lincoln Co. Deputy’s Trial September 28, 2009: Trial Begins For Lincoln Co. Deputy Accused Of Obstruction Of Justice September 15, 2009: Lincoln Co. Takes Control Of 911 Call Center August 7, 2009: Commissioners Ask Lincoln Sheriff To Resign; Department Responds July 17, 2009: Lincoln County Sheriff Addresses Department Criticism July 14, 2009: Lincoln County DA Calls Sheriff's Office Actions Foolish July 13, 2009: D.A. To Discuss Obstruction Case Against Chief Deputy