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Dispatcher who called 911 caller a ‘little liar’ during near drowning resigns after investigation

SPRINGFIELD — A Clark County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher resigned from her position following an internal investigation into a near drowning incident in June, according to records obtained by News Center 7.

>>PREVIOUS REPORT: Local dispatcher under internal review after calling 911 caller a ‘little liar’ in near drowning

The investigation centered around the dispatcher’s actions during 911 calls made during an active water rescue on the Mad River in Springfield June 13. Multiple 911 calls received into the dispatch center reported several people were stuck on the Mad River near Eagle City Road and needed help getting out of the water.

In one 911 call, a dispatcher was heard calling the 911 caller “a little liar,” which led to the sheriff’s office launching the internal investigation.

“No, I’m actually trying to see where you’re at because you’re a little liar,” the dispatcher said in the 911 call obtained through a News Center 7 public records request.

Two days after the water rescue, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office launched an internal investigation that was completed by the end of June, records show. The dispatcher was also placed on administrative leave while the internal investigation was completed.

“The investigation found that (the dispatcher) committed numerous and potentially serious work rule violations while handling the 911 call relating to the June 13, 2022 potential drowning incident,” Sheriff Deborah Burchett said in a letter obtained in a separate public records request by News Center 7.

>>RELATED: Crews rescue at least 3 people from Mad River in Springfield

Burchett stated in the letter, dated June 30, that before a pre-disciplinary hearing could have been scheduled the dispatcher had resigned from her position with the sheriff’s office.

“Effective this date, 6-30-22, I am tendering my resignation,” the dispatcher said in her resignation letter, also obtained in News Center 7′s public record request.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.


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