Cop blows career over leaf blower
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2003 8:20 am
HIGHLAND FALLS, N.Y. (Court TV) — A former Officer of the Year blew his promising police career on a leaf blower.
Disgraced Highland Falls cop Matthew Lawrence was sentenced to 60 days in jail for stealing a leaf blower from a locked utility garage at James I. O'Neill High School.
Lawrence was in full uniform and driving his squad car at the time of the Nov. 7 incident, which was reportedly caught on tape by a surveillance camera.
Immediately after his arrest, Lawrence resigned. He later admitted to swiping the $600 leaf blower, and a felony charge of third-degree burglary and a misdemeanor petty larceny charge were both dropped as part of an April plea deal.
The former officer may still be able to strive for Employee of the Month awards: Lawrence is said to have been hired by a Lowe's Home Improvement store currently under construction. There, a leaf blower will reportedly retail for $49.
Disgraced Highland Falls cop Matthew Lawrence was sentenced to 60 days in jail for stealing a leaf blower from a locked utility garage at James I. O'Neill High School.
Lawrence was in full uniform and driving his squad car at the time of the Nov. 7 incident, which was reportedly caught on tape by a surveillance camera.
Immediately after his arrest, Lawrence resigned. He later admitted to swiping the $600 leaf blower, and a felony charge of third-degree burglary and a misdemeanor petty larceny charge were both dropped as part of an April plea deal.
The former officer may still be able to strive for Employee of the Month awards: Lawrence is said to have been hired by a Lowe's Home Improvement store currently under construction. There, a leaf blower will reportedly retail for $49.
