An off-duty York-Poquoson sheriff’s deputy resigned after an altercation with a group of people who were celebrating Independence Day a day early.
Robert Murray drove to a residence near his own in the Tabb community where people were shooting off fireworks at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. Murray, 62, who was rehired in 2019 as a “work-as-required” deputy for the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office following his retirement, entered the backyard of the residence and was involved in a “physical altercation” with three people, according to a news release.
The people involved in the altercation complained to the sheriff’s office and the three victims, as well as other witnesses, were interviewed on July 4.
Murray has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault and has since submitted a letter of resignation, a spokesperson said Friday morning.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in Murray’s actions and he does not have a history of disciplinary issues, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. Asked whether Murray identified himself as law enforcement when he arrived at the residence, the spokesperson said she does not believe he did.
He was not wearing an official uniform or using a sheriff’s office vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
Clarification: This article was updated to clarify that Murray resigned from his position. A previous version of this article stated he was fired.
