8/21/2019 Sheriff backs jailer, suspends gun permit after charges - News - Boone News-Republican - Boone, IA

Sheri backs jailer, suspends gun permit after

charges
By Michael Murrell, General Intern For the Boone News-Republican
Posted Jul 23, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Updated Jul 23, 2019 at 4:09 PM
Charges have been filed against a Boone County Sheriff’s Office jailer who
authorities say pulled a gun during an altercation at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
earlier this month.

John McCormick, of Madrid, was charged Tuesday with impersonating a peace

officer, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, and carrying a weapon
while intoxicated. All the charges are misdemeanors.

The charges are related to a July 6 fight at the Good Guys car show at the
fairgrounds on Des Moines’ east side.

According to State Fair Police Cmdr. Doug Phillips, McCormick produced a

handgun during that fight, which occurred at about 8:15 p.m.

The charges were filed by the Polk County Attorney’s Office, which declined to
comment because the case is pending.

McCormick, who is not being held in jail, has worked for the Boone County
Sheriff’s Office for approximately 15 years. He has been a good employee without
any issues, according to Boone County Sheriff Gregg Elsberry.

“The only action that will be taken right now is with the gun permit,” Elsberry
said. “Since he is being charged with something, I will suspend his gun permit.
Otherwise, no other action at this time.”

The action from the sheriff comes two weeks after releasing a statement
regarding the situation.

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8/21/2019 Sheriff backs jailer, suspends gun permit after charges - News - Boone News-Republican - Boone, IA

“I came out and just said he is an employee of mine,” Elsberry said. “The
investigation is really between him and the State Fairgrounds. As far as an
employee goes he is a very good employee for me so I stand behind with what
the reports I had been given to me by the State Fair and the police reports and
from what John had told me.”

“I’m supporting John on it. Obviously with this new chain of events (the filing of
charges) I’m still supporting John until the outcome of (the case),” Elsberry said.

The Iowa State Fair Police Department did not have any comment regarding
McCormick’s position at the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

“No, that is completely between the Sheriff and his employee,” Phillips said. “We
wouldn’t have any opinion on that whatsoever. Every department has its own
policies and procedures in place on how they deal with situations like that so I’m
just going to assume the sheriff is going on whatever policies or procedures he
has in place.”

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office employs around 43 or 44 people including

eight full-time jailers.

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