A Louisville Metro Police officer who was speeding when he was involved in a fatal car crash last year has been suspended for 30 days following an investigation into whether he violated department policy.
Detective James Adams was given a 30-day suspension, the department's strictest discipline, short of being fired.
The suspension stems from a May 22, 2010, crash at North Hurstbourne Parkway and Headley Hill Road in which 22-year-old Sarah Bearden was killed.
Adams, who was off-duty at the time, was found to have violated department policy on speeding after it was determined he was going in excess of 80 mph in a 45 mph zone, according to his suspension letter released Tuesday.
"This violation warrants your termination, however I am mitigating your discipline due to the totality of the circumstances," Police Chief Robert White wrote in the letter.
Adams' attorney, Mary Sharp, said the suspension was part of a settlement reached after her client was notified of the chief's intention to fire him. As part of the agreement, Sharp said, Adams has said he will not appeal the suspension to the Police Merit Board. He also has indefinitely lost the use of a take-home police car.
"I personally feel that it's excessive," Sharp said of the suspension. "He is an outstanding officer and I think that was taken into consideration."
In November, a Jefferson grand jury declined to indict Adams on charges of manslaughter and assault in the crash. The case then was turned over to the police department's professional standards unit to review and determine whether Adams violated any departmental policies.
White said in an interview Tuesday he believes the suspension is appropriate because of factors involved in the crash, including that Bearden was found to have a blood alcohol content of .131, higher than the .08 legal limit.
"It was absolutely a tragic scenario for the family of Sarah Bearden, as well as Officer Adams," White said.
"It was an accident," he said - and one that could have been avoided.
"His speed contributed to the accident, as well as her actions," White said.
The chief said Adams' reputation in the department also contributed to his decision to agree to a lesser punishment.
Adams, who was hired in June 2000, has worked most recently in narcotics as a detective. His personnel file shows 31 commendations and two disciplinary reprimands - for missing court and for losing his police-issued radio.
"He's served the community well," White said, adding that he believes Adams can continue to be an effective officer.
Attorneys for Bearden's family, Chad Gardner and John Robinson, said they are glad some action has been taken, though disappointed with the severity and the amount of time it took. They said they expect to file a civil lawsuit in the case next week.
"We are glad to see that the chief has recognized the problem," Gardner said.
But, added Robinson, "The consequences, to me, are woefully deficient."
Gardner said he was disappointed to hear White say that Bearden's blood alcohol level played a role in his decision to reduce Adams' punishment reduced.
"Alcohol didn't kill Sarah Bearden," Garner said. "Speed killed Sarah Bearden."
Earlier in the night, Bearden and her parents had gone to a college graduation party for one of her friends. There, Bearden had a couple glasses of wine before leaving the party.
Investigative documents released in December show that prior to the crash, Adams was going to a video rental kiosk before heading to an off-duty security job for Papa John's that started at midnight.
He was driving an unmarked 2010 Ford Edge when he turned south onto Hurstbourne Parkway from Westport Road, according to the investigation. He told investigators that about a mile later, he saw Bearden's headlights as her car crossed the road in front of him and thought he would be in a head-on collision. The investigation determined he was driving about 80 mph around a curve sloping down a hill.
Adams told investigators he sped up to try to swerve around Bearden's vehicle, but ended up slamming into her 1995 Volvo 850, sending it spinning into the shoulder of the road.
Witness accounts of what happened next vary. Adams said he ran to check on Bearden, then called his partner to have him call 911 while he called in the crash on his police radio.
But other witnesses at the scene claimed Adams did not immediately call 911.
The policy investigation into Adams' conduct did not find evidence that Adams had improperly responded after the crash and or that he was not wearing a seatbelt. Both those charges were ruled unfounded.
"His speed contributed to the accident, as well as her actions," White said.
The chief said Adams' reputation in the department also contributed to his decision to agree to a lesser punishment.
Adams, who was hired in June 2000, has worked most recently in narcotics as a detective. His personnel file shows 31 commendations and two disciplinary reprimands - for missing court and for losing his police-issued radio.
"He's served the community well," White said, adding that he believes Adams can continue to be an effective officer.
Attorneys for Bearden's family, Chad Gardner and John Robinson, said they are glad some action has been taken, though disappointed with the severity and the amount of time it took. They said they expect to file a civil lawsuit in the case next week.
"We are glad to see that the chief has recognized the problem," Gardner said.
But, added Robinson, "The consequences, to me, are woefully deficient."
Gardner said he was disappointed to hear White say that Bearden's blood alcohol level played a role in his decision to reduce Adams' punishment reduced.
"Alcohol didn't kill Sarah Bearden," Garner said. "Speed killed Sarah Bearden."
Earlier in the night, Bearden and her parents had gone to a college graduation party for one of her friends. There, Bearden had a couple glasses of wine before leaving the party.
Investigative documents released in December show that prior to the crash, Adams was going to a video rental kiosk before heading to an off-duty security job for Papa John's that started at midnight.
He was driving an unmarked 2010 Ford Edge when he turned south onto Hurstbourne Parkway from Westport Road, according to the investigation. He told investigators that about a mile later, he saw Bearden's headlights as her car crossed the road in front of him and thought he would be in a head-on collision. The investigation determined he was driving about 80 mph around a curve sloping down a hill.
Adams told investigators he sped up to try to swerve around Bearden's vehicle, but ended up slamming into her 1995 Volvo 850, sending it spinning into the shoulder of the road.
Witness accounts of what happened next vary. Adams said he ran to check on Bearden, then called his partner to have him call 911 while he called in the crash on his police radio.
But other witnesses at the scene claimed Adams did not immediately call 911.
The policy investigation into Adams' conduct did not find evidence that Adams had improperly responded after the crash and or that he was not wearing a seatbelt. Both those charges were ruled unfounded.