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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Sergeant Terminated After Showing Up to Work Intoxicated
A Johnstown police sergeant was fired after allegedly coming to work under the influence of alcohol. The incident, which reportedly took place in May, has prompted a district attorney investigation into possible law enforcement misconduct.
Incident Details and Initial Response
According to a disciplinary action report, Sergeant William Ward arrived for his shift at 6 a.m. on May 28. He was in full uniform and driving his patrol vehicle, which included his service firearm. Colleagues at the Johnstown Police Department became concerned after observing signs that Ward might be intoxicated. Officers stated that they shared their suspicions among themselves before taking further action.
Blood Alcohol Content and Disciplinary Action
Sergeant Ward was asked to take two portable breath tests at the police station. The tests reported blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of .107 and .106 respectively. After these results, he was transported to Medicine for Business and Industry for further testing. During the investigation, Ward admitted to having consumed 15 alcoholic beverages the night before reporting for duty.
The Johnstown police took disciplinary action, and Ward was officially fired on July 20, nearly two months after the incident. The termination is recorded in the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board database.
District Attorney’s Office Launches Investigation
The Eighth District Attorney’s Office was not notified of the case at the time of the incident. The office told FOX31 that they only recently became aware that the incident took place at a Johnstown police substation, which falls within their jurisdiction. A statement from the DA’s office noted that no reports or requests for investigation were ever provided to either the Weld or Larimer District Attorney offices by the Johnstown Police Department.
“We will review the evidence to determine whether criminal laws were broken, whether charges can still be pursued, and why this was not reported to us previously,” the DA’s office stated. The Critical Incident Response Team is now overseeing the investigation, in accordance with standard protocol.
Public Accountability and Ongoing Inquiry
The investigation by the district attorney adds a further layer of scrutiny to the handling of the case by the Johnstown Police Department. The review will focus on blood alcohol content levels, use of breathalyzer tests, and the department's reporting procedures. The case highlights the importance of public accountability in law enforcement and the protocols surrounding disciplinary action when officers are suspected of law enforcement misconduct.
Next Steps
The Eighth District Attorney’s Office is continuing its investigation to determine if any criminal charges should be filed. The examination includes why the case was not reported to district attorneys at the time and whether standard procedures were followed. Updates from the investigation are expected as the inquiry proceeds.
Source: kdvr.com.
