Surry deputy resigns after SBI investigation

By Angela Schmoll
angela@surrymessenger.com

DOBSON — A detention officer placed on administrative leave following an incident at the Surry County jail three months ago has resigned in the wake of an SBI investigation.
Willis Gunter, who had been with the sheriff’s department about 14 years, submitted his resignation last week.
Sheriff Graham Atkinson said his office had asked for an investigation by the SBI after an incident in the booking area of the jail in April, several weeks after two other detention officers were placed on administrative leave following a complaint by a suspect who said they pepper sprayed him and beat him at the time of his arrest.
“The subject involved (in Gunter’s case) did not file a complaint, but there were concerns,” Atkinson said.
Gunter had been on leave since the beginning of the investigation.
The SBI presented its report to the district attorney’s office last week. Atkinson said he has not received any word on the outcome of the investigation.
“The D.A. is in a two-week term of Superior Court in Stokes County and we don’t expect to hear anything until after that,” he said.
He declined to comment further based upon employee confidentiality.
Gunter could not be reached for comment.
The SBI has not submitted a report in the earlier allegation. Sgt. Mike Fahy and Twain Atkins have been on leave since March 7 in that incident.