Deuter v. South Dakota Highway Patrol

I agree with the circuit court that the May 30,1979, letter of reprimand and Deu-ter’s subsequent violation of Patrol policy as outlined in that letter constituted good cause for discharge under SDCL 3-7-15(5).

I am also of the opinion that the Commission’s treatment of the pistol incident that occurred at the January 9, 1980, hearing in Director Baum’s office fatally infects its findings and conclusions. I turn to Judge Miller’s memorandum opinion for a description and analysis of that incident:

The record also supports the Patrol’s determination that Deuter exercised poor judgment in stress…