Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

A man heralded for his part in taking down a major methamphetamine ring is now facing charges of driving while intoxicated after crashing into a telephone pole with another officer in the vehicle.

The officer, who was immediately placed on administrative leave, has since resigned.

Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle said the arrest was both upsetting and embarrassing for the department.

Swindle said former Tyler police officer Scott Bradley, 35, was arrested Dec. 5 by Tyler police after an accident at the intersection of Troup Highway and Golden Road.

Swindle said Bradley, who had been assigned to a Drug Enforcement Administration task force, and Los Angeles Police Detective James Edward Flynn had been at Texas Roadhouse and Grill for dinner and drinks.

Swindle said Flynn had been in Tyler to testify in the Adrian "Jermaine" Thomas case where he told jurors that he had alerted Tyler police to a suspicious package.

"He (Bradley) was taking the L.A. officer back to his motel when the accident occurred," he said.

An accident report stated Bradley's blood alcohol level was .115, which is three tenths more than the legal limit of .08.

The accident report stated Bradley was injured in the accident, but Flynn was not. Swindle added the 2005 Nissan Xterra suffered "substantial damage."

"He was arrested at the scene and booked into the Smith County Jail on DWI charges," Swindle said. "We put him on leave and we have filed a case with the district attorney's officer."

Swindle said Bradley has tendered his resignation with the police department.

Bradley was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office in May with the Eagle Award for his work in "Operation Icebox" that took down 19 people in 2006. The drug ring was responsible for distributing meth in several states and all 19 have been convicted.

"Of course this whole situation is upsetting to the entire department," Swindle said. "He was a really good cop who made a bad decision."

Swindle said the case was being handled just as any other DWI case.

"We are basically done with it and it is in the hands of the district attorney," he said. "It doesn't matter if you are law enforcement or who you are. We have zero tolerance for drinking and driving."

Swindle said the narcotics unit was still operating, and the unit with SWAT team members made a bust Friday.

"He (Bradley) was on a federal task force and not on the department's vice squad. It may take awhile for us to replace him on the task force, but the vice unit is still operating."