X

Massena police officer charged with DWI Tuesday night now on administrative leave

Posted 1/18/12

MASSENA -- An off-duty Massena police officer is charged with driving while intoxicated last night and has been placed on administrative leave. Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier said village patrols …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Massena police officer charged with DWI Tuesday night now on administrative leave

Posted

MASSENA -- An off-duty Massena police officer is charged with driving while intoxicated last night and has been placed on administrative leave.

Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier said village patrols responded to a one-vehicle accident on Maple Street at 11:15 p.m.

"Upon investigation it was determined that Michael W. O’Donnell, an off-duty Police Officer for the Village of Massena had been operating his personal vehicle when he lost control and struck a utility pole," Currier said. "Further investigation determined that O’Donnell was intoxicated," the chief charged.

O'Donnell, 45, of Massena, was taken into custody and transported to the Massena Police Station.

"The on-duty Supervisor notified me and I immediately called the Station Commander for the New York State Police and requested that they take over the investigation," the chief said in a statement this morning.

State police charged the officer with DWI and failure to use designated lane. He was ordered held pending further action.

“Enforcing the law when it involves one of your own is not pleasant, but it is the right thing to do, it is the only thing to do. My staff did exactly what is expected of them,” Currier said.

O'Donnell is on administrative leave, pending action by the Village Board of Trustees.