FARGO (KFGO) – A former Cass County deputy is speaking publicly for the first time since he was fired.
Tyler Gibson was fired from the Sheriff’s Office for escalating traffic stops at least three times.
He was fired after an investigation into his conduct during a traffic stop in early May.
Gibson was driving 119 mph on both 76th Ave S and 45th St S, which are 45 mph zones. He drove 98 mph on 52nd Ave E in a 35 mph zone. He was responding as backup to a stop in south Fargo near Discovery Middle School.
Gibson says he responded to the call as he saw fit.
“There was a lot of uncertainty in responding to the scene but you know overall it was a very potentially serious situation that was put out over the radio,” Gibson said. “Of course not being on scene when it happened the only thing I can think myself and the other deputies that were showing up is just kind of like worst case scenario.”
When he arrived on scene, Gibson yelled expletives at the car’s occupants with his gun draw.
Sheriff Jesse Jahner says Gibson’s aggression had unnecessarily escalated traffic stops two other times, including one where he pointed his gun at a juvenile passenger. Jahner personally coached Gibson after these incidents, but noted in his firing decision that Gibson indicated he did not want to change his behavior, and only would because Jahner told him to.
Gibson says he does not have any resentment towards the Sheriff’s Office or Jahner.
“I really don’t have a lot of ill will towards the sheriff’s office or towards the sheriff himself like I said he has the ability to make the decisions for hiring and firing as he sees fit I will respect that. The biggest thing for me is this narrative that I’m just this over aggressive unhinged employee, that is completely false”
Gibson says he will not appeal the decision.
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