Officers, Corrections Dir. Gambled, Golfed On The Job

NEW CASTLE, Ind. -- Two New Castle police officers and the head of Henry County Community Corrections are accused of golfing, gambling and attending to other personal business while on the job.

Lt. James Heffernan, 39, Patrolman Matthew Patterson, 38, and Doug Sheets, 57, were arrested Wednesday on preliminarily charges of ghost employment, corrupt business influence and official misconduct

Heffernan and Patterson worked part time for Henry County Community Corrections, with Heffernan serving as the assistant director of the facility. Both were hired by Sheets, a retired state police detective.

Investigators said the three men golfed at a nearby country club, gambled at Hoosier Park in Anderson, went to sporting events and visited friends, all while clocked in at their corrections jobs.

Heffernan is a 15-year veteran of the police department, while Patterson has been with the department for 12 years. Both have been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

"Anytime an officer is accused of these types of offenses it is a black eye, it is an embarrassment to law enforcement," said New Castle Police Chief Jim Nicholson.

Residents echoed the chief's disappointment.

"If I did something like that, it would cause me to lose my job under the same circumstance," said Steve Welage.

"If the allegations are true, it is a big embarrassment to the city," said Brian Whybrew. "I'm sure we'll recover, but it's still a shot to the kidneys."

Heffernan, Patterson and Sheets bonded out of jail Wednesday. A special prosecutor will be appointed in the case.