Bond revoked because former Sheffield officer arrested for drink driving

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – A former Sheffield police officer had his bail revoked by a judge on Wednesday.

Florence Police weekend arrest reports confirmed that former officer Max Dotson was arrested at approximately 10:49 p.m. Sunday and charged with driving under the influence.

Dotson was out on bail pending an appeal of a previous conviction for assault, menacing and reckless endangerment for driving under the influence at the time of his arrest. Prosecutors say he violated the conditions of his bail by being arrested for another crime and by possessing a firearm.

However, the judge said his bail could be “reconsidered”.

According to testimony in court today, Dotson had several alcoholic beverages in the car when he was stopped and a rifle in the back seat.

He was found guilty of assault, menacing and reckless endangerment by District Judge Carole C. Medley on July 21, 2023.

The charges Dotson faces are related to an off-duty incident on Dec. 23, 2022, in Florence in which court documents say Dotson and another man were “fighting” at the Good Spirits store.

Dotson was sentenced to two years in the Lauderdale County Detention Center and fined $4,000 for assault and reckless endangerment. In addition, he was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence and a $1,000 fine on the threat charge to run concurrently with the other sentences.

Dotson worked in law enforcement for 17 years. He was also shot and critically injured in the 2021 shooting that killed Sgt. Nick Risner.

Chief Ricky Terry released a statement on July 24, 2023 saying Dotson had been fired from SPD.