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Sheriff�s deputy suspected in domestic attack is fired By Jessica Smith The Jackson County Sheriff�s Department has fired a deputy who faces criminal charges after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend in a domestic dispute. An internal investigation into the actions of Craig Douglas Smith, 43, of Gold Hill, turned up evidence that he ignored department ethics policies when he reportedly assaulted the woman, said Sheriff Bob Kennedy. "When we investigate, we look for violations of policy," Kennedy added. "In our mind, there were a number of violations." Kennedy declined to elaborate, but later said the department�s review concluded Smith had committed a crime. Smith was dismissed July 3, about a month after he was placed on paid administrative leave. Bob Stark, president of the Jackson County Sheriff�s Employees Association, said the group plans to file a grievance on Smith�s behalf. The association has until Thursday to file the objection. If the group fails to meet the deadline, it forfeits the right to take action. It�s uncertain whether the group will pursue the matter beyond the initial complaint, Stark said. "We can�t just not file the grievance, because then we�re not representing the employee," he added. Filing the grievance also will give the association more time to review the case against Smith, Stark said. On June 2, the sheriff�s department received a report implicating Smith in an assault in the 2000 block of Rogue River Highway in Gold Hill. Kennedy said Smith�s girlfriend accused him of pushing her down a short flight of stairs during an argument. Although Smith was off duty at the time, he reportedly visited his girlfriend later during his shift and the two had another argument, investigators said. Since the incident involved a county employee, Kennedy turned the criminal investigation over to the Oregon State Police. Investigators booked Smith on domestic assault charges June 2 at the Jackson County Jail. On June 13, county prosecutors referred the case to the Coos County district attorney�s office, which has yet to file formal charges against Smith. The allegation is the second made against Smith, who was accused in September 1997 of using "excessive force" against his daughter. Although Grants Pass police charged Smith with domestic assault, Josephine County prosecutors dropped the case in October 1998. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA