News 12; June 6, 2009

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C.--- Aiken County Deputy Mark Patterson, who worked as an investigator in the juvenile division, has been fired by the Sheriff's Office for conduct off-duty.

Burnettown Police Chief D. P. Smith tells News 12, on Thursday evening Patterson and his wife were exchanging text and voice messages. During those messages, Patterson used profanity. He adds, things calmed down, but picked back up again later that night.

Chief Smith says, Patterson then went to the home where he and his wife live and ransacked it. She was not home at the time. She came home early Friday morning to get ready for work and found the home ransacked. Then, the Chief says, Patterson was saying things to his wife that he wanted to harm himself.

A friend of Patterson's wife called 911. Patterson was charged by Burnettown PD for unlawful communications. We're told at no time did Patterson threaten to harm his wife.

Chief Smith added, Patterson was not charged with burglary because the home he ransacked was shared with his wife. Also, he was not charged with criminal domestic violence because there was no harm or threats besides the unlawful use of the phone made towards Patterson's wife.

Capt. Charles Barranco with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Patterson, who's been on the force for about 5 years, was fired on Friday for unbecoming conduct from an officer.

He adds, policy states that deputy's must conduct themselves as an officer both on and off duty.

There is no mug shot available for Patterson because we're told Burnettown PD took him right to Magistrate Court for a bond hearing. Patterson was never booked into the Aiken County Detention Center.