Former sheriff’s lieutenant receives 3-year suspension from law enforcement

DUI accident involving a Washington County Sheriff’s lieutenant, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Former Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason “Jake” Lynn Adams, of Toquerville, was officially suspended from law enforcement Monday by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council in Sandy.

“He has accepted responsibility for his actions and is going through the process,” Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher said.

DUI accident involving a Washington County Sheriff’s lieutenant, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
DUI accident involving a Washington County Sheriff’s lieutenant, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

Adams was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in February 2014 after he rolled an unmarked Sheriff’s Office patrol truck with his four children inside on state Route 17 in Washington County. Adams was off-duty at the time of the incident. He failed field sobriety tests at the accident scene and was arrested by Utah Highway Patrol troopers for DUI and failure to operate his vehicle in one lane. His blood alcohol level at the time was 0.240 percent, which is three times Utah’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Adams and his children were reportedly wearing seat belts at the time of the rollover and each sustained only minor injuries.

In the face of the charges against him, Adams ultimately resigned from the Sheriff’s Office and later pleaded guilty to one class A misdemeanor DUI charge. He served a 15-day jail sentence in the Iron County Jail and was released on Dec. 4, 2014.

Jason "Jake" Lynn Adams, of Toquerville, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
Jason “Jake” Lynn Adams, of Toquerville, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Along with Adams, 11 other current or former Utah law enforcement officers were also disciplined Monday at the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council’s quarterly meeting, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Adams was recommended for a four-year suspension, the Tribune reported, but his lawyer urged the council to only suspend him for three years. Adams’ lawyer also told the council Adams has quit drinking alcohol and has lost 50 pounds since quitting.

The council ultimately voted for the three-year suspension.

A four-year suspension would have meant Adams would have to go through the training academy all over again at the conclusion of the suspension, Pulsipher said; a shorter suspension means he will be able to immediately seek new employment in law enforcement at the end of the three years.

If Adams had received a revocation rather than a suspension, it would mean he could never again work in law enforcement, Pulsipher said.

“Now he’s just trying to put his life back together,” Pulsipher said.

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4 Comments

  • me2u March 17, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    Jake, wishing you the best in your recovery as you are missed.

  • fun bag March 17, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    Give him his badge back and a bottle of whiskey and put him back on the road. Maybe a pay raise too!

  • Mesaizacd March 18, 2015 at 1:59 am

    And don’t forget to wipe his record clean… after all he is. one of them

  • paul March 18, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Really 15 days in jail that’s it. And oh so sad if we would of giving him 4 years susp then he would have to start all over give me a break shouldn’t even have a job anymore And then pull someone over and preach about drinking and driving and take them to jail hmmmmmm I guess that’s how it works

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