DEPTFORD POLICE OFFICER SUSPENDED AFTER ARREST

DEPTFORD TWP. -- A police officer with 10 years on the job has been
suspended without pay after being arrested for drunk driving and drug
possession.

Thomas Sexton, 39, of Glassboro, was driving his 1998 Dodge pickup
truck north on the Middle Thorofare Bridge in Lower Township at 10:07
p.m. Saturday when the truck crossed into the southbound lane near
the center of the bridge, hit a curb and the bridge rail and rolled
over onto its right side, according to Deptford Township Police Chief
John Marolt.

Lower Township police reported smelling the strong odor of alcohol on
Sexton's breath and they took him to a hospital, where he was treated
for minor contusions and abrasions, said Marolt.

Once Sexton had identified himself as a police officer, Lower
Township officers searched his vehicle to see if there was a weapon
in it and, in doing so, allegedly found a marijuana cigarette and
cigarette rolling papers in the truck, Marolt said.

Sexton was charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving,
failure to keep right and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana
and released, said Marolt.

Lower Township police called Deptford police, who notified Marolt at
about 1 a.m. Sunday, he said.

Sexton "has been suspended without pay with the intent to dismiss,"
Marolt said Monday.

"It's reprehensible conduct for a police officer to have marijuana in
his possession and to be driving while intoxicated. It's against
everything we stand for as police officers," he said.

Three other Deptford officers are on suspension and have been
indicted in connection with the alleged beating of a Philadelphia man
during a car stop on Feb. 2.

Patrolmen John Gillespie and Timothy Parks allegedly beat up
19-year-old Joseph Rao and were indicted on charges of official
misconduct, aggravated assault and simple assault. Ptl. Brian Green
was indicted on a charge of false swearing for allegedly failing to
tell the truth about the incident.

Marolt, who said he was devastated by the Feb. 2 incident and this
new incident, said he has seen "nothing like this" in his years on
the police force.

"The men and women of the Deptford police department are dedicated
professionals providing quality service," said Marolt.

Lawyer John Eastlack, who will represent Sexton, said he could not
talk about the case.