Colin Haggerty, a 38-year-old Flagler County Sheriff’s corrections deputy, was arrested and charged with boating under the influence of alcohol on Saturday (Sept. 2) in the Intracoastal just north of the Hammock Dunes Bridge.
Hagerty was suspended without pay and ordered to surrender his agency credentials, weapons and identification pending the outcome of criminal and internal proceedings. Haggerty has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2010.
Haggerty was aboard a 20-foot pontoon boat when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission patrol noticed the boat traveling slowly through a manatee zone, but without its required boater’s safety decal on the port side, next to its registration numbers, and with two mechanical rods and reels and a dip net at the stern of the vessel, according to FWC’s arrest report.
“Immediately, I detected heavy slurred speech in his voice,” Self reported of Haggerty. His chest, back, shoulder, face, and neck were flushed red in color. His eyes were very watery and appeared glassy.” The FWC officer saw a “large clear trash sack containing empty containers of alcoholic beverages on the port side.”
The officer proceeded to request a n umber of items from Haggerty for the inspection, a few of which Haggerty had to be reminded about, and one of which (a sound producing device) he could not produce. Haggerty consented to field sobriety exercises and was brought aboard the FWC patrol boat, where he performed one of the exercises “poorly in a manner indicating impairment,” and admitted to consuming four to five drinks that day.
Haggerty was arrested and transported to Marineland, where FWC vessels are stationed and where Haggerty’s boat was turned over to his wife. Haggerty was then taken to the Flagler County jail for booking. But he refused to provide breath samples to determine his blood-alcohol level. He was charged with boating under the influence, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail (if it’s a first offense). He was also cited for refusing to provide a breath sample, and for lacking a sound producing device on board. He was released on $1,000 bond.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to drive or boat sober whether on the road or on the water,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I warned everyone that there would be extra patrols on the roads and waterways this Labor Day Weekend and reminded drivers and boat operators to have a designated driver or boat captain if they were going to drink this Labor Day weekend. No one is above the law, and I am extremely disappointed that DFC Haggerty tarnished his badge and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and our agency.”
Last week the Sheriff’s Office announced the demotion of veteran deputy Michael Breckwoldt from sergeant (and supervisor of the agency’s narcotics unit) to corporal following an internal affairs investigation that concluded that he had become drunk publicly to the point of casting the agency in a poor light, and behaved unbecomingly, at a bar in Flagler Beach last February. (See: “Sheriff’s Michael Breckwoldt Demoted to Corporal Following Investigation of Drinking Incident at Finn’s Bar.”)
On Sept. 1, the agency issued a release cautioning that “As the last federal holiday of the year, Labor Day weekend will be packed with traffic, boating, and beach activities across Flagler County. That’s why the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) will be out in full force to ensure everyone remains safe while enjoying the holiday.” The release noted: “On the water, the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) and FCSO’s Marine Unit will team up to conduct high-visibility patrols along the Intracoastal Waterway and canals to monitor for boaters under the influence and those who are not operating marine vessels safely. Deputies on ATVs will also patrol Flagler County’s sandy shores and parking lots for suspicious persons, vehicles, or illegal activities.”
That operation is ongoing.
Haggerty started his career with FCSO on March 24, 2010. He had been the October 2018 detention deputy of the month after preventing an inmate’s suicide.
Stay home says
Attention all Flagler County Residents.
Do Not drink a beer on a hot day
Do Not go fishing on your boat after drinking a beer.
Do Not attempt to actually have fun on your day off
Do Not drink a beer at home and go out front to water your grass
Do Not drink a beer and play Badminton in your back yard.
Lock yourself up in your house
Dictator Staley
Jim says
I think Sherriff Staly should be very concerned about these incidents in his department. First, a drunk deputy nearly sideswipes a police cruiser and verbally abuses that deputy, then a sergeant on the force gets drunk and harasses a customer in a Flagler bar and is found in his police vehicle and now this. There is no doubt that police work is very stressful and every person in the police force has the right to “blow off some steam” when not on duty. However, when people that are supposed to enforce the law openly flaunt those same laws when not on duty speaks to the level of true commitment to law enforcement. This reeks of “do as I say, not as I do”. I doubt any citizen stopped by any of these officers would be given much of a break if they behaved in the same manner as these officers have. In fact, a regular citizen would have been facing multiple charges. Maybe the first two officers were charged and I missed that.
I’ve always felt that the Flagler Sherriff’s Department was well run and that the officers are well trained and community oriented. These multiple incidents are making me rethink that. I hate to have to question police behavior if/when I ever get stopped. But, like many other locals in the US, I guess we have the potential for that problem here.
JimboXYZ says
Sounds like the typical overreach for BUI/BWI ? I mean, he was coherent enough to know he was in a manatee zone and actually operating a pontoon boat slowly like he should. The decal was a technicality of financial responsibility at worst, not of the boat’s actual seaworthiness. And from there they had the standard list of items nobody never needs, nor ever uses to upcharge a day in the heat & sun of the Labor Day weekend. How he would’ve been able to handle the pontoon boat at the dock & launch ramp might be another thing. But this was operating a watercraft in the middle of the intracoastal & between channel markers. Eventually, he does have to operate a motor vehicle. In that regard some tragedy may have been averted. Alcohol & drugs are never going to make anyone’s life better beyond those that peddle that problem for profit.
Laurel says
Jimbo: This area of the ICW is very narrow, and the number of boats trying to race, pass each other and show off their flags and blaring radios, while skidoos zipping back and forth over the boat wakes is no place for a drunken boat driver. Add to that, people skiing and kids being towed behind boats at top speed. It’s insane out there on weekends and holidays. The river is like a washing machine, with people who a.) have no idea what they are doing, and b.) don’t give a damn. Never mind harming wildlife.
There are reasons for the required equipment to be on board, and hopefully the equipment won’t have to be used.
Yes, the sheriff’s boats are finally visible, hauling ass towards the inlet, while it took the Florida Fish and Wildlife to actually do something about it. Gee, where’s the C.O.P. boat when you need them?
Shark says
All he had to do was to submit to the breath test.
Concerned Citizen says
This Sheriff Has a substance abuse issue in his command.
And why wasn’t this Deputy afforded the same treatment as Sgt. Reckenwoldt? This Sheriff also has trouble providing fair treatment to his Deputies. As well as a slew of other issues.
Hard to believe this is an accredited agency with all these issues floating around.
LEO’s Wife says
Who is Sgt Reckenwoldt? Because the last time I checked Sgt Reckenwald and Sgt Breckwoldt were 2 different people! Before you go leaving your two cents, make sure you have your facts straight! And names too! News Flash… Substance abuse is in EVERY occupation.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Google “40% of police” to learn more about this fwiw
BK says
You mean Breckwoldt. Deputy Reckenwoldt is a whole entire story.
Protonbeam says
The behavior is telling of the culture and leadership in the Sheriffs Dept – drunken boating (allegedly) and refusing to submit to a breathalyzer… we he doesn’t want to really follow the laws he’s sworn to uphold
we’ve been hearing a lot lately about officers doing this and that – and these are just the ones we’re hearing about. His people Emulating emperor Staley isnt working out well for our county –
Colleen B says
Ok… I’m not defending the man at all but I hate this for him! He made a horrible horrible stupid choice and like the rest of us have to pay the consequences but Mr Haggerty is (was) a phenomenal CO!!! Unfortunately I’ve had my fair share of trouble (I’m doing fantastic by the way for those who r going to talk crap for me defending him) But Haggerty was one of the very few CO’S that actually cared!! Every time I went in, every single time not only did he do his job but he went further by talking to me, reminding me of my worth and he didn’t even know me yet still had faith in me! I’ve cried to this CO, I’ve been dope sick in front of him, I embarrassed myself in front of him & never once did he degrade me ( at least not to my face) but I can sit here and say that I feel very sad for him right now! His beautiful wife & beautiful kids! He fudged up but I really pray that he doesn’t lose his job ( prayers for a demotion/ suspension only) because he was and I still say it to this day that there are a handful of CO,’S that I can say helped save my life and I hated cops when I was being stupid but today I say I’m forever grateful for HAGGERTY & the others that literally took time out of their day to at the time I thought I was being lectured but looking back they (HE) were only trying to help me and remind me IM BETTER THAN WHAT I WAS DOING!!! I’ve seen Haggerty at stores in the last 4 years and I always THANK HIM!! And it’s awesome seeing him on the other side, smiling and being able to look at him with a smile on my face being grateful for not only Haggerty but the other few COs that genuinely helped change my life!!!
Haggerty I am praying for you and ur family!! I’m so sorry this happened! But like u always told me ” head up, keep pushing forward and don’t let this push u back!” Haggerty I will support u through and through with this!! And I know alot of other people who are upset this is happening!! Sheriff Staly he made a horrible horrible decision but plz take into account that he is one of the top COs you have and he impacted alot of us!! Plz don’t forget that!! I’m not saying don’t punish him cause this could have been a horrible outcome and thank God it wasn’t but plz take into account ALL of the great he has done! Haggerty will always be one of the COs I owe the world too because he truly helped me when I was beyond my lowest!!
#teamhaggerty
#teamfcso
Haggerty u and ur family are in my prayers!!!
Shark says
I wonder how many more drunks there are under Stalys command ???
Don’t be a dummy says
Never admit to having drinks while operating a vessel. Never keep your empties in plan site.
Have a dry box with all your legal boating requirements.
Obviously it’s fine to have a few drinks and stay within legal boundaries. These boating officers run across people indulging all the time and if you aren’t plastered and have all the right equipment, on you go!
But if ya give them a reason to investigate they will find something. Seems like something a 18yo would do hahah
Stacey Smith says
Well, Paul Peacock was more than pleased to hire Jeffery Puritus, remember him, investigated from FSCO for harassment while on the force. Paul made him head of security for Wadsworth Elementary School. When this was brought to the attention of the school board, they turned a blind eye. There’s hope for employment with Flagler County Schools!
Pat Stote says
Colleen, that was an awesome response and thanks to the officer.
It’s nice to remember someone who helped you out in difficult times and I’m sure he’s thankful for the prayers you’re sending his way.
Just great to see a positive non-political review. God bless you.
Colleen B says
Thank you for this response Pat! I surely thought that I would receive backlash for my comment but I was wrong! And even though it took me the last 4 years as I got better to understand that HE didn’t have to say or do anything extra for me! But every time he made sure he spent even 5 mins.. the first few mins were Colleen what the hell r u doing but the rest was positive! And I was beyond at my lowest point in life & HE had Faith in me, believed in me, gave me words of encouragement & always gave me resources when I left. Not one other time was I ever given resources ONLY HIM! There are several other COs that I would also love to shake their hands & say “thank you” to as well & I will one day because they r part of my story! But Haggerty was the main! I really pray he still gets the opportunity to help more people! He made a huge impact on me! I will Always be grateful for Haggerty & THANK U again Pat! God Bless you and ur family as well!
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
What, no free ride home and desk duty? Oh, I see. It wasn’t fsco that did the stop but fwc, imagine that. Maybe fwc should be called in the next time an officer breaks the law, they seem to know how to do their jobs.
Geezer says
At least he respects the manatees…