DARE Officer Ray Dudley Arrested at Sobriety Checkpoint

Muncie

A Delaware County sheriff deputy is in trouble after state police arrested him for drunk driving at a sobriety checkpoint.

Officer Ray Dudley, a 10-year veteran of the department, was among 11 people arrested for drunken driving at the police checkpoints. Dudley was driving his personal car early Sunday when he was arrested with a blood alcohol content of .10. The legal limit in Indiana is .08.

Ironically, Dudley is also a DARE officer for the department, who speaks in schools about the dangers of substance abuse.

The department said no one was available to comment on Dudley's arrest Tuesday. In addition to criminal charges, he could also face disciplinary action.

Tuesday, public reaction to the arrest - particularly given Dudley's role as a DARE officer - was swift.

"I'd say he needs to practice what he preaches," said Muncie resident Sandy Stewart.

"The law pertains to everybody and not just certain people. The law in Indiana says no drinking and driving. That pretty much covers itself," said retired deputy Rex McCoy.

"My child's not in school, he's four," said Amanda Harper. "Once he goes to school, I wouldn't want that kind of person saying, 'Don't do this', when they turn around and do it."

State Police say they'll continue drunk driving patrols and checkpoints through the summer. They conducted checkpoints Thursday and Saturday. Dudley was pulled over and arrested by a trooper working Saturday night.

He was released from jail on bond and has been placed on administrative duties in the department pending an investigation.