IRON COUNTY – A Cedar City man has been accused of impersonating a police officer as the investigation continues into an abandoned vehicle allegedly involved in a January accident in Iron County.
Thomas James Demille, 28, was arrested by Iron County Sheriff’s deputies as an investigation commenced into a Jan. 10 report of an abandoned vehicle on Lund Highway. The vehicle, a 2001 Pontiac Prand Prix, had been involved in an accident and then abandoned, according to a press release from the Iron County Sheriff’s Office.
Inside the car, deputies located emergency equipment including a radio with local emergency channels; a siren; and switches for wigwag, or flashing, lights.
Demille, who was later located and questioned by deputies, allegedly admitted to being under the influence of both methamphetamines and oxycodone from Jan. 9-10. However, he denied being involved in the accident the deputies were investigating.
Demille was subsequently charged with two third-degree felonies for drug possession.
Demille told officers he’d had the emergency equipment installed in his vehicle because he was both an EMT and a firefighter, Iron County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Del Schlosser previously told St. George News. So far, Schlosser said, sheriff’s deputies have disqualified the legitimacy of Demille’s EMT credentials.
The Sheriff’s Office released updated information about the case Friday, detailing that Demille hasbeen charged with impersonating a police officer as a result on the ongoing investigation.
The new charge stems from a 2013 incident in which Demille allegedly entered a Cedar City apartment and identified himself as a Cedar City Police officer. When this incident occurred, Demille had been wearing a Utah Department of Corrections uniform and a law enforcement badge, the press release said.
One of the apartment residents recognized Demille and knew he was not an officer, according to the press release.
Searches of Demille’s residence and belongings were conducted. Deputies located uniforms, a Utah Highway Patrol badge and a vehicle emergency lighting system that strobes red lights.
The Iron County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the original vehicle accident and asks anyone with information to come forward by contacting the sheriff’s office at 435-867-7500.
St. George News reporter Carin Miller contributed to this article.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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Well if he’s doing a good job leave him on the force
What is wrong with our fellow American’s? I’ve seen this quite a bit as a veteran as well. Losers posing as combat vets so they can fill the cowardly hole in their souls. You want to wear a LEO’s or military member’s uniform? Grow a pair and join. Otherwise, you deserve an ass-whoopin’.
Well put!!