Crime And Law

Springfield police sergeant fired for sex act while on duty

SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield police sergeant was fired after an internal investigation found he engaged in a sex act while in uniform.

Sgt. Jerome “Jerry” Montico was fired Oct. 12 following a seven-month investigation that found he was having an affair with another city employee, which included a liaison while he was on duty.

According to the report, the incident happened when Montico was guarding a construction site from theft and vandalism.

“The whole thing. frankly, is most unfortunate. Honestly it’s an embarrassment to the department,” City Manager Jim Bodenmiller said.

“That is just beyond something that we can deal with. ... While he was on assignment for an extra-duty job in uniform in a marked cruiser he engaged in oral sex from a civilian co-worker.”

Montico began working with the Springfield Police Division in 1996 and recently was moved to the traffic unit.

The other city employee involved, Police Records Clerk Heather Ellis, was suspended five days without pay for her role in the incidents, city records show.

Once the investigation was complete, Chief Lee Graf said he had no choice but to terminate Montico.

“This was an officer that was in an extra-duty uniform job. Basically you’re under the same requirements as you would be when you’re on duty,” he said.

The report also showed that in 2007 Montico was suspended without pay for a pattern of conduct that involved sex acts with prostitutes.

Also, there were more than 10 letters that were sent to city leaders in support of Montico.

I cannot even begin to put into words how much better our unit has become since he has taken over leadership" read one letter.

"Sgt. Montico has been an asset to the traffic unit and has changed the atmosphere of our unit for the good," read another.

"Jerry was a likable person. Has done a lot of good service in the community but again you have to weigh both sides of these factors," a letter read.

Montico has filed a grievance for his job back, saying his firing was without just cause.

When reached, he declined comment and Ellis was not able to be reached.

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