MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Another Memphis Police officer is off the job, accused of harassing his estranged wife.
Daniel Dermyer was in court briefly on January 19, 2012, just long enough to get his case reset to next month.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Chip Washington said, "Anytime you have a situation like this, it's sad when you have children involved and parents have difficulties; it causes distress within the family unit, it's always a difficult situation."
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is investigating claims of harassment from Dermyer's wife.
"He had followed her from a location to another location and sent her a few text messages," Washington said, "She did file a complaint, a warrant was issued and he was arrested."
According to the affidavit, Dermyer's wife told police that when she tried to lose him on Interstate 40, he sent her text messages saying, "So you have a boyfriend and you are southbound on 40 huh," and, "Hope someone's home watching your kid, cops on the way, charge heard it on the scanner."
Dermyer was just in the news last week. An 18-year-old crashed into a police car, killing the passenger and sending two cops to the hospital. Dermyer was the passenger in the MPD car.
It was three days later his wife claims he was stalking her, texting on the interstate with their kids in his car.
"It is a misdemeanor charge," explained Washington. "It falls under the domestic violence issue because the text messaging indicated a harassment charge so there is a charge, but a misdemeanor."
Dermyer has been with the Memphis Police Department since 2009; he was assigned to Old Allen Station. He is relieved of duty with pay pending the investigation.
He and his wife have been separated since October 2011.
