A Georgia police officer who was once honored as “Deputy of the Year” found himself in hot water this month after being charged with DUI following a bizarre incident at an elementary school.
Former Houston County Sheriff’s deputy Garrison Page was arrested on November 19 after witnesses reported seeing him attempting to direct traffic outside Skyview Elementary School. The incident took a strange turn when it was discovered that Page had an open can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade in his patrol vehicle, and he was reportedly acting intoxicated.
According to police documents obtained by local outlets, Page was allegedly slurring his words and emitting a strong smell of alcohol. When confronted by authorities, he attempted to walk away from the scene, further raising suspicions about his condition.
A county Board of Education officer who encountered Page at the scene noted that he was directing traffic in an area with no cars passing through, leading to concerns about his state of intoxication. Despite being offered medical assistance, Page reportedly responded rudely, indicating that he did not need any help.
Upon searching Page’s patrol vehicle, officers found an open can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and an unopened can of Natural Light. Page allegedly resisted when deputies attempted to draw blood for testing, further complicating the situation.
Page had previously been recognized as “Deputy of the Year” during his time at the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office in 2019, garnering praise from the community for his outstanding work. However, his tenure at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office was short-lived, as he had only been employed for eight days before the DUI incident occurred.
In response to the charges, a spokesperson for the Houston sheriff’s office announced that Page had been suspended pending possible termination. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence, even for law enforcement officers who are expected to uphold the law.
The case of Garrison Page highlights the importance of responsible behavior and the repercussions of alcohol-related incidents, regardless of one’s professional background. It serves as a cautionary tale for individuals in positions of authority to uphold the law and set a positive example for the community.
