{"id":228161,"date":"2026-04-12T02:28:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/228161\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T02:28:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:28:01","slug":"hillsborough-sheriff-says-fired-major-was-under-the-influence-while-on-duty-but-wont-say-how-he-got-caught","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/228161\/","title":{"rendered":"Hillsborough sheriff says fired major was \u2018under the influence\u2019 while on duty, but won\u2019t say how he got caught"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SheriffMaj. Troy Morgan (L) with Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister at the Riverhills Church of God in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 18, 2026.
Credit: HCSOSheriff \/ Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Representatives for the Hillsborough County Sheriff have confirmed that Maj. Troy Morgan has been terminated after an internal administrative review, adding that the decorated deputy \u201cwas found to be in violation of HCSO policy after being under the influence of alcohol while on duty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The comments from HCSO came the morning after Creative Loafing Tampa Bay first reported on an email saying Morgan had been \u201crestricted from entering all HCSO facilities.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a statement shared today, Sheriff Chad Chronister lauded Morgan\u2019s more than three decades of service to the agency, adding, \u201cthis outcome is not one we ever want to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the expectations we place on our employees are clear. We are entrusted by this community to serve with integrity, sound judgment, and professionalism at all times. When those standards are not met, we must take decisive action,\u201d Chronister noted. \u201cWe also recognize that situations like this can involve personal struggles, and we hope he gets the help he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs this is a personnel matter, no additional details are being released at this time,\u201d HCSO reps added.<\/p>\n

HCSO reps did not immediately respond to follow up questions<\/a> about how Morgan\u2014who was promoted to Major last February according to his LinkedIn page\u2014was discovered to be under the influence on the job, or if he committed an arrestable offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Early Friday afternoon, April 10, another rep for HCSO said, \u201cMajor Morgan was not charged with DUI, as no one saw him operating any vehicles while he was intoxicated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morgan served the Hillsborough County Sheriff\u2019s Office since 1994 and has experience in investigations including those involving driving under the influence. He once received the State of Florida Mothers Against Drunk Driving Deputy of the Year award, according to WFTS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The command staff shakeup comes as Chronister\u2019s agency endures its own struggles, including an academic dishonesty scandal that led to two firings and four resignations among highly-ranked deputies.<\/p>\n

While Morgan was found to be under the influence while on duty, WTSP<\/a> reported that one deputy was arrested this month after a domestic violence investigation. That deputy, 37-year-old Justin Thornsberry, faces multiple charges, including stalking, installation or use of tracking devices and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, the station added.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t the only Hillsborough Sheriff Deputy in hot water.<\/p>\n

In the span of a week last month, HCSO announced the arrests of three deputies on charges related to domestic violence.<\/p>\n

On March 22, 2026 HSCO Deputy Ivan Feliciano Heredia was arrested for domestic violence battery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In Pasco County two days later, HCSO deputy Dayton Thomas was arrested by local sheriffs and charged with domestic aggravated battery involving serious injuries<\/a>. That same day, HSCO deputy Brian Juliano was arrested by the St. Petersburg Police Department<\/a> and charged with armed kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and tampering with a witness.<\/p>\n

Despite all this, Chronister\u2014who has led the agency since 2017\u2014would probably still rather be dealing with these guys than working for Trump.<\/a><\/p>\n

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UPDATED 4\/10\/26 1:20 p.m. Updated with comment from HCSO.<\/p>\n

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