The saga of the mysteriously-removed Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office SWAT commander could turn out to be a hot potato for Sheriff Ric Bradshaw in an election year.
A day after Gossip Extra revealed that Lt. Dan Burrows was on family leave to treat an alleged addiction to pain pills, agency officials now say they’ve placed Burrows on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.
One of the allegations against the 46-year-old Burrows is that he used powerful narcotics prescribed to a cancer-stricken former deputy whom Burrows visited shortly before his death!
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Burrows, a 17-year veteran, reportedly developed his addiction after using pain killers for an on-duty injury.
“Lt. Burrows is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation and he’s on administrative leave,” said PBSO Spokeswoman Teri Barbera. “And where he possibly obtained drugs is being looked at. Remember, these are just allegations.”
The “rat squad” now has six months to submit its report to the sheriff, who’s up for reelection.
The buzz inside the West Palm Beach-based 4,400-member agency, meanwhile, centers on whether Burrows benefited from special treatment because he is a high-profile member of the Police Benevolent Association, the powerful law-enforcement union that is backing the sheriff’s campaign.
Several insiders told me Burrows was asked to submit to a drug test but refused — something for which deputies can face immediate dismissal.
Union boss John Kazanjian declined comment.
Bradshaw, who’s at the tail end of his second term, made of ridding the streets of illegal pain killers one of his goals.
For more on PBSO:
– SWAT Commander on leave after refusing drug test
– PBSO sergeant gets two-day suspension in hunting trip beat down of deputy
– Lawsuit: Homeless man used for SWAT target practice?
– Sexism at PBSO? What sexism?
This is just despicable. Yet another case of the Sheriff Bradshaw administration trying to sweep the crimes of his friends under the rug. When will it ever end? To be put on FMLA for committing several felonies and some of the most horrendous acts of moral turpitude I’ve ever heard of (and taking the pain meds from a dying man in excruciating pain is horrible), I can’t begin to fathom what kind of man would attempt to protect this guy. Probably the same kind of man who steals guns from the evidence room and falsifies documents so he doesn’t get caught eating at the Okeechobee steakhouse on the public dime.
Jose, You’ve got most of the facts wrong. You’re source only has some of the information and is not providing you with the clear picture of what is occuring. I’m sure if the lieutenant has committed these violations and the witnesses will cooperate, then he will be held accountable. Just like a reporter who purposefully creates false information to “scoop” a human interest story is held accountable for his/her misdeeds.
I’ll bet there was an investigation started, but as you’re aware..that can’t be disclosed. The Sheriff’s Office has 4,000 employees and is one of the largest in the country. There will always be those who have weaknesses, that’s why an agency has a strong and viable Internal Affairs unit. Yet you try and blame the leader? If he covered things up, didn’t investigate, I would agree with you. This one doesn’t, not like others before him you worked hard at covering up the drunken misdeeds of his administration.
Drug addiction, like alcoholism is a Disease. He is, per your article in rehab,which is the best place for him. He is on FMLA with a serious, life threatening disease. After which he will have to face whatever consequences to his actions. At this point some of his co-workers are calling for his head on a platter, how nice it must be to be so perfect! But to blame this on the Sheriff is ridiculous!!
FYI, those that want to blame the Sheriff understand this… he believes in getting the employee help when a situation is brought up, such as alcoholism or drug addiction where there was no arrest for criminal activity. Whether people like it or not he does care.
The way this came to light will have to be delt with by Burrows, the guilt/blame/shame of hurting the family, and a brother (LEO). Then will come what comes from knowing co-workers knowing/judging. Then what come out of the job situation…ALL this during & after the rehab.
we all know what happened here. Dan is a pba guy and they tried to quietly give him a soft landing just like Kaz after his bar fight at Safari. they all need to go. Diaz for 2012
and to the other cowards, use your real name. i do. its called free speech.
Wait a minute…the FMLA paperwork said he was out to treat a drug addiction. Surely PBSO did not fill out the paperwork in such a way as to break federal law. Well, I guess that wouldn’t surprise me.
To the poster who asked “will it ever end ?” The answer is not for four more years . No one will run against shady Ric , because he has the most money , PBA, and political favors in his pocket. Things are only going to get worse , as long as money, power, and political fame is this “leaders” agenda.