Justin Augustine resigned on Nov. 1, according to Piqua police.
“I resign from my position as a patrol officer for the Piqua Police Department,” read his letter of resignation. “This resignation is effective immediately.”
Earlier that day a new charge of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle was filed.
VIDEO: Piqua officer suspected of OVI after on-duty crash
“During the course of the past week, the Piqua Police Department has maintained transparency at the highest levels allowed by state and federal law, and provided information as quickly as possible with technical considerations and resources available,” read a statement from the department. “Most people have understood this and we appreciate the supportive emails, phone calls and texts.”
INITIAL REPORT:
A felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle was filed Thursday against Piqua Police Officer Justin Augustine, who was charged last weekend with driving while under the influence after wrecking his cruiser while on duty Oct. 27.
Written pleas were filed earlier this week for Augustine, 38, of Troy, in Miami County Municipal Court on misdemeanors of OVI and operating a vehicle without being in reasonable control. Police reports said he called his supervisor around 7:40 p.m. to a parking lot off East Ash Street, where his cruiser was parked with heavy damage after hitting a flat-bed semi with concrete barriers.
Augustine is on paid administrative leave and an internal investigation is being conducted, Piqua Police Chief Bruce Jamison said.
Augustine refused a test for OVI and was charged accordingly.
An arraignment on the new charge is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Municipal Court.