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11 months ago
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A police lieutenant was given a retirement party with a department-branded cake and gushing tributes from colleagues after he quit over a DUI.
Jimmie Cole Anderson resigned from the South Salt Lake City Police on October 12 weeks after he crashed his Harley while three times over the limit.
The veteran officer was driving at 65 to 70mph in a 30mph zone in Saratoga Springs on August 25 with a 0.18 blood alcohol content when he hit a roundabout.
He resigned two weeks before two policy violation were recorded against him on October 27 and was allowed to retire with benefits instead of being fired.
Jimmie Cole Anderson was thrown a retirement party by his police department - even though he'd just been convicted of drink-driving
A local police association threw a retirement party for him, which was attended by numerous officers including SSLCPD chief Jack Carruth.
An invitation to the event was sent out to call staff by Carruth's assistant and Anderson was presented with a badge plaque and a scrapbook with gushing tributes from fellow officers.
Saratoga Springs police found Anderson lying in bushes where he told them he was a cop and refused to go to the hospital despite officers being shocked he survived the crash.
'I could smell the odor of alcohol on his breath. There was nobody else around and I could tell the odor was coming off Jimmie's breath,' one of the officers wrote in their report, according to KUTV.
A cake was even baked for the corrupt cop, who regularly got drunk with his supervisors and colleagues he had to supervise
Anderson was charged with driving under the influence and negligent collision, and his own police department began investigating him.
He pleaded guilty to the DUI on November 15, with the other charge dismissed, and served five days in jail starting on November 30.
Just a day before he reported to the county jail, Anderson was feted with a party thrown by the South Salt Lake Honorary Colonels' Association.
The celebrations included a cake with the police department's logon on it, and a badge plaque presented to Anderson.
Anderson refused to answer a KUTV reporter's questions about his corrupt behavior
Officers including Carruth signed a scrapbook with gushing tributes paying homage to his police work and friendship.
'Jimmie, you have always been a man of action, which is what makes you a great friend and leader!' Carruth wrote.
'I will miss you here, and I know I have a friend & brother for life! The next chapter of your life is going to be even better.'
Deputy Chief Darren Carr wrote: 'I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your leadership and friendship over the years... I wouldn't be where I'm at without your help. I'll miss you!'
Local KUTV reporter Wendy Halloran wrote that the episode was one example of how the city of South Salt Lake was hopelessly corrupt.
The report described how top police brass were quick to look out for their drinking buddies and along with city officials, refused to answer questions.
Mayor Cherie Wood said only that Anderson couldn't be fired until the investigation and disciplinary proceedings were complete, and he resigned before then.
'If Anderson had not resigned, he would have been terminated following the pre-disciplinary hearing. The city was obligated to follow due process in this investigation,' the mayor's office said.
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