A Miami County Sheriff’s deputy facing a drunk driving charge was fired Wednesday by Sheriff Charles Cox, who said he had no choice because the “level of misconduct was so egregious.”

Doug Byers, 43, of Bradford, was charged with DUI by Piqua police following a Sept. 9 traffic stop. He was placed on paid leave pending disciplinary action.

Piqua police reports state Byers was stopped on U.S. 36 west of the city just after 1 a.m. Sept. 9 after police received a report of a Trailblazer driving at a high rate of speed in the city. An officer nearby said he clocked the vehicle going 75 mph in a 35 mph zone and saw it going over the centerline as he attempted to stop it.

Byers stopped outside the city limits, was arrested and taken to the Piqua Police Department where officers said he refused to cooperate and called an officer names as they attempted to take fingerprints and process the arrest.

Cox said he reviewed evidence, reports and statements involving Byers’ conduct and arrest by police before making his decision.

“The level of misconduct was so egregious and a complete violation of the public trust and the standards and code of ethics of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office that I had no choice but to dismiss him from his employment as a deputy sheriff,” Cox said in a written statement. “His conduct is not and should not be viewed as a reflection on the hardworking men and women of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.”

Cox said he would not comment further because of the likelihood of an appeal.

A not guilty plea was filed on Byers’ behalf last week in county Municipal Court, where a pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31. In addition to DUI, he is charged with driving left of center and speeding.