Clark County sergeant fights in court to keep job as sheriff claims he's 'not a reliable backup'

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- One of the Clark County sheriff's veteran sergeants is in court fighting to keep his job.

In a social media post late last year, Sheriff Scottie Maples announced his recommendation to terminate Sgt. Tom Higdon. But Higdon believes he's being punished for not supporting his boss Maples for re-election.

"I think it's politically motivated," Higdon said on the stand Wednesday.

Mickey Weber, Higdon's attorney, said Maples is "willing to put people at risk in order to further his own personal interests and to silence criticism and opposition."

Maples' legal team argues he has "no other choice" than to fire Higdon because he's "not a reliable backup."

"It is common knowledge that he slow rolls to calls," said Cynthia Forbes, with the sheriff's legal team. "He does not respond to calls and is never first on scene when it's obvious he's the closest to the scene."

Higdon was showered in support in Wednesday, both online and in the courthouse. More than 30 people sat in the courtroom to hear opening statements.

"He has earned the admiration and trust of his fellow officers and community in a 35-year career in Clark County law enforcement," Weber said.

But Forbes said there's "more to being a police officer than being a nice person."

Higdon is currently on administrative leave for three infractions.

The main incident happened on Aug. 24, when Higdon was one of three officers responding to a call regarding Devon Lyons. The 26-year-old's mother called 911, claiming Lyons was mentally ill and wandered off into the woods near his home.

"That subject was schizophrenic, off his medicine and known to resist officers," Forbes said.

Higdon was called in for extra support as the two other deputies found Lyons and tased him. While Lyons was down, body camera video reveals they tased him again.

It took roughly 4 minutes for Higdon to catch up to his fellow officers. Afterward, those two deputies filed a complaint against Higdon, and the sheriff's legal team claims Higdon should've provided backup when he heard the taser go off.

The actions — or rather inactions — are incompetence, plain and simple," Forbes said. "And they cannot be tolerated."

Weber called it an "inconsistent enforcement of the rules."

A merit board will now decide Higdon's fate at the sheriffs department. They've heard from several witnesses, including Higdon.

He wants to be reinstated to continue doing the job he loves.

"I didn't do anything wrong," he said on the stand.

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