Okay, Oklahoma
An area sheriff's department is now in control of a town that fired its police department.
The police chief and officer were let go for allegedly being drunk on the job. The allegations are being made in Okay, in Wagoner County, about 40 miles east-southeast of Tulsa.
The small town of about six hundred residents is still trying to come to grips with it all. With a new scandal and two vacant positions, will the town recover?
Elden McCullough says he isn't surprised Okay is in the headlines again.
"I got a call at 12:30 the night before from a lady who said they're down at the EZ Mart and they're drunk."
A few minutes later, McCullough says he got another call.
"Some lady said they're drunk down here, they're in the police car."
The call was about Okay officer Matthew Pruegert, who was later arrested on a complaint of driving under the influence. The arrest was made by a Wagoner police officer who said he observed a strong odor of alcohol.
It's also alleged that Okay Police Chief Ronald Lee was observed intoxicated back at the police station by a town board member.
"When we went into executive session, that's all I can tell you, she said 'yes, he was drunk'. He said he wasn't. She said yes. It was a 5 to nothing vote."
And, with that, the police chief and officer were both let go.
Residents we spoke with say they're shocked.
"I wouldn't feel safe with them being drunk on duty," says Brock Moore. "What they do on their own times, that's their business. When you're at work, no."
The next town board meeting is next Tuesday. Members could then decide what to do about the police department.
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