“It was a pay cut, but I’m satisfied,” said Woodruff, who started Wednesday as a correctional sergeant in the intake division. “I’m thankful to have a job and support my family,” although he said the transfer “doesn’t make sense” since he was accused of four policy violations at the jail.
He said the sheriff’s office “forgot to give me a pre-termination hearing, so they had to reinstate me to give me the hearing” May 11 with his supervisor, Chief Deputy Frank Kirby.
Kirby said he hadn’t been aware of the pre-termination requirement, adding, “We’ve never done one before, that’s how new it was.” Human Resources Director Lavelle Barnes said the policy took effect on Aug. 1, 2008.
Barnes said she doesn’t think it’s an issue with the five jailers who were terminated April 30 for allegedly roughing up an inmate at the jail.
Before Woodruff’s appeal could go further, he took one of two vacant positions at the Correctional Institute, which houses state and county prisoners. Public safety positions are exempt from the county’s hiring freeze.
“It’s like a revolving door at the Jail and Correctional Institute” because it’s a tough job and a lot of new hires decide it’s not for them, said County Manager Mike Dobbs.
“His (Woodruff’s) experience will add a lot to the CI and I think the warden (Dexter Wells) realized that,” Dobbs said.
Sheriff Donny Turner has said Woodruff was dismissed because he acted “without proper authority” in allowing a female inmate charged with driving on a suspended license to go to the driver’s license bureau in LaGrange on April 24, then to Columbus four days later. By obtaining a valid driver’s license, the charge was dismissed in State Court and a parole violation charge will be dismissed in Superior Court, Turner said.
In a letter to Woodruff on May 13, the sheriff cited policy violations involving “release, command responsibility, chain of command, professional image, on and off duty conduct, negligence, and inefficiency or incompetence in the performance of duties/knowingly giving false statements to supervisors.”
Woodruff said he denied any wrongdoing at the pre-termination hearing, but declined to elaborate.
“He never said he did nothing wrong,” Kirby said. “He said, ‘I’m a dedicated employee of 20 years, I love my career and all I ask is that you reconsider my termination. If you want to suspend me or transfer me because I let you down, I don’t have a problem working the night shift in the jail.”
Kirby said Woodruff told him he’d never been given a jail manual, but “of course he had one. I terminated him for failing to follow it.”
THE REAL DEALS
I’m not sure exactly where you where trying to go with that comment, being it had nothing to do with anything being discussed, but since you want to question Chief Kirby’s abilities in his job performance, it seems Woodruff would have been next in-line to correct anything he felt was not being handled properly, wouldn’t he? Why are you not questioning Woodruff if that’s truly how you feel? You don’t seriously think that Kirby was the only one notified in the wee-hours of the morning of the escapes, do you?
As far as the escape taking a while, as far as I recall, the employee manning that post was fired as a result of the incident. As a matter of fact, I believe those inmates where placed in that area of the jail that same day they escaped.
This is obviously a personal vendetta against the S.O., and you spewing your bitterness show’s it. You talk about the “Good ol’ boys”, seems to me, much of that was cleared up when Woodruff was demoted…. The Sheriff, Chief Kirby,Hadley & Frailey have absolutly nothing to do with this. Woodruff should be glad his Post certification wasn't pulled and that he still has a job!!!
Hey but I was just thinking and remembering, who was in charge of the jail when 1 MURDERER and 2 CONVICTED ARMED ROBBERS ESCAPED? And the public and other agencies were not notified until approximately 3-5 hours after the escape? Gotta try to make a good cover story I guess. That would be "Spinning Spurs" Kirby! There was no way this was a last minute escape either. The escape obviously took time. But the powers that be don't want the public to know too much now do they?
Sorry to disappoint you "employee" but this is my last post until the next screw-up.
Justanemployee If I may ask you a question. You stated county policies are always changing.Why do we have to change the rules so often that we can't keep up with them? Isn't it the responsability of the officals who write policy changes to use their change of command to make sure policies are carried out and everyone is made aware of it.So who failed?I am not singling out anyone because of the situation with James Woodruff.If you want to run for public office expect to take some heat.Don't get in the kitchen if you can't take the heat. My concern is we still have the good old boy mentality going on. There a lot who are in athority who have a hollier than thou attitude.The majority of those with this attitude are covering up flawes and inadequacies in their own personalities and job performancies.I'll get you and that will cover up what I am doing wrong.My grandpappy always said a bit dog always hollers so which one are you.Are you one of the do boys,Gizzard twins or maybe better yet are you Frailey or Hadley.I know Daddy Donnie done said don't ask don't tell or you'll be fired.Just an open invitation to James Woodruff and Larry Harris to come on and give the voting citizens of Troup County a chance to show you we welcome and want change.We want a choice and a change something we don't have.