Matthew Wilson
A South Carolina sheriff’s deputy is out of a job after nearly two decades on the force. While off-duty, he allegedly got in a dispute with teens in his neighborhood. Tempers flared, and the incident reportedly ended with him pointing a loaded firearm at the teens.
Videos by Rare
Police also report the deputy was under the influence at the time.
What happened: William “Billy” Squires worked for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office since 2005. However, the department let him go after an internal investigation into the matter. They determined he had been intoxicated and misused force.
The incident happened in a Hilton Head neighborhood. Squires drew his weapon and pointed it at three teens after an altercation. The incident was caught on camera.
“Looking at that video, it was appalling to see, and I can also see how the average citizen sees that video and just goes into shock as to what they see,” said Sheriff P.J. Tanner. “Bad decisions have consequences. And unfortunately for Squires, this is the consequence.”
Deputy Fired
Sheriff speaks out: Additionally, Tanner said the former deputy refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.
“That’s not tolerated,” Tanner said bluntly. “We have a standing policy: you do not police your own neighborhood. Just don’t do it. And you surely don’t get involved in any kind of police action if you’ve been consuming alcohol.”
According to Tanner, Squires put on his deputy vest but did not have his body camera on.
- “Once he put on that vest and started acting in the capacity as an on-duty officer, then he’s required to have his body camera on,” Tanner said.
- Tanner revealed that Squires may face criminal charges.
Tanner described the deputy and his actions as horrible.
- “My 45 years in law enforcement and almost 27 years as sheriff – nothing really surprises me,” Tanner said. “I mean, I hate to say it that way, and I’m not downplaying this in any manner, but what I saw was horrible.”
- “I would like to say, and I think I’m probably 99.9% sure that most of the employees at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office are blessed with common sense. Sometimes things happen and that common sense is just not working as good as it should, and it leads them into areas to make bad decisions,” he said.
- “And again, bad decisions have consequences, and you know, unfortunately for Squires, this is the consequence.”
