Ohio Police Officer Fired After Responding to Couple’s Home While Allegedly Intoxicated
WALBRIDGE, Ohio — A police officer has been fired after allegedly showing up intoxicated to a 911 call, leaving a couple stunned and raising new concerns about accountability in law enforcement.
Couple Called Police for Possible Break-In
The incident happened on August 23, when a Walbridge couple returned home to find their truck door open. Fearing a robbery, they called police for help.
Officer Michael Ervin of the Village of Walbridge Police Department responded just before midnight. But the homeowners, identified as Mr. Brand and Mrs. Lewis, say it was immediately clear something was wrong.
“He was just standing in the street, staring at us, watching me talk on the phone,” Lewis told Live5News .
The couple said Ervin appeared “noticeably intoxicated,” stumbling as he approached their house.
Officer Allegedly Stumbled Inside Home
While Ervin searched their home, the couple grew increasingly concerned and called dispatch a second time. Within minutes, additional officers arrived.
Video recorded by Lewis shows Ervin stumbling and struggling to stand as he interacted with other officers outside the home.
Breath Test Twice the Legal Limit
Walbridge Mayor Edward Kolanko confirmed that Police Chief Ken Campbell was at the scene and administered a portable breath test.
The results showed Ervin had a blood alcohol concentration of .168%—more than double the legal driving limit.
“He could have been driving and hit somebody or anything,” Lewis said.
Kolanko said Ervin was immediately relieved of duty and officially terminated from the police department last Monday.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
In a statement, Mayor Kolanko emphasized that the police department takes public trust seriously.
“We highly value the public trust and recognize the importance and significance of this situation. We took swift action once this was recognized to terminate the employee and open an investigation. There is zero tolerance for this behavior, especially in a position where the community expects honesty, competence, and integrity,” Kolanko said.
Investigation Ongoing
Ervin has not been charged, but officials said possible counts include operating a vehicle under the influence and handling a firearm while intoxicated. The investigation remains open.
Brand and Lewis say they were shocked but relieved the incident did not cause further harm.
“Even though he has been relieved of his duty, he should absolutely face prosecution,” Brand said.
Do you think police officers should face stricter penalties when caught intoxicated on duty? Share your views at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
