Two Park County Deputies Fired After Internal Investigation

Two Park County Sheriff’s deputies have been fired after an investigation into how they handled an underage drinking party last week.

Corporal Glenn Hardey and Deputy Richard Sonnenberg were fired on Monday. Reserve Deputy Steve Materkowski’s commission was revoked for violation of Park County Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures.

The deputies were initially suspended after a witness said one deputy fired his gun three times at a beer keg. The Internal Affairs Investigation was completed on Monday.

About 40 teens attended the party at the Tarryall Campground in the Pike National Forest — 30 of them were cited for underage drinking.

One teen told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the event began as a birthday celebration for several friends. Another teen said despite changing the party’s location to keep it hidden, word spread to concerned parents and the high school’s resource officer. Around midnight, he said, three deputies arrived, accompanied by the resource officer and a Woodland Park police officer.

The Park County Sheriff’s Office says the criminal case is being conducted by the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, and more information will be available after that is complete.