Park County Fires Deputies Who Shot Keg To Break Up Party With Underage Drinking

Two Park County deputies have been fired and one reserve deputy has lost his commission after breaking up a party in Pike National Forest by shooting at a beer keg. Reports indicate the party was attended by underage drinkers.

Cpl. Glenn A. Hardey, Deputy Richard A. Sonnenberg and Reserve Deputy Steve Materkowski all faced an Internal Affairs Investigation after teens and parents complained that the shooting endangered people at the party in early April.

KRDO reports almost 40 teens attended what began as a birthday party at the Tarryall Campground in Pike National Forest. Around midnight, three deputies arrived with a high school resource officer and a Woodland Park police officer, who issued 30 citations for underage drinking.

"I'm deeply disappointed," Undersheriff Monte Gore told 7News. "Let me just say, as a husband and a father, I've got a 5 year old and an 8 year old, and I'm sure at sometime those kids are going to be at a party. And if I had reports that a deputy discharged a firearm at that party, I would be furious. I would be steaming."

The deputies were initially suspended last Thursday, but continue to be investigated by the Teller County Sheriff's Office at the request of Sheriff Fred Wegener, according to a news release. The deputies remain under investigation for inappropriately firing a weapon.