Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- A school resource officer was terminated from the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Friday following an internal investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student.

An investigation is ongoing into possible criminal charges related to the allegations by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Thomas Donahue, 32, was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after the Sheriff's Office was notified by Heritage High School Principal Greg Fowler of the possibility of an inappropriate relationship between Donahue and an 18-year-old female student.

Donahue was terminated after the RCSO internal investigation concluded that Donahue did "act in a manner that discredited the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, using poor judgment and exhibiting a lack of professionalism," according to an RCSO press release. In addition, the investigation found that "Donahue violated his Diligence to Duty, Duty to Abide by All Laws and Orders and Manner of Conduct as set forth in the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Policy and Procedure Manual."

According to the RCSO, both Donahue and the student denied the allegations during the internal investigation; however, Sheriff Jeff Wigington determined that Donahue's actions were inconsistent with departmental standards and that it was in the best interest of the department to terminate his employment.

"We feel like some of his behavior was contrary to our standards," Wigington said Tuesday.

Donahue, who had been with the RCSO for five years, had no other disciplinary actions on his record.

Wigington said Donahue has the right to appeal the termination to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office Merit Board. The board is made up of civilians and one Sheriff's Office employee.

Donahue had been placed on paid administrative leave while the internal investigation was under way. He was in his second year as a school resource officer at Heritage.News editor Jay Jones contributed to this report.