Deputy resigns after kin take cruiser for joyride

Bartow, Florida -- A veteran deputy sheriff has lost his job after his wife, mother-in-law and a young man took his patrol car without his knowledge and went for a joyride through Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputy Sheriff Charles "Clip" Buckner III, 44, had been employed with the sheriff's office for 21 years. He resigned his position as the sheriff's office investigates the use of his agency-assigned car Sunday morning.

An arrest affidavit says a citizen called 911 Sunday morning to report a marked sheriff's car driving erratically on Highlands Road near CR 540-A with emergency lights and siren activated. Two women were in the front seat, and a young man in the back.

An officer on a traffic stop saw the car approach him, then make a u-turn. He followed it to south Lakeland and the home of Deputy Sheriff Buckner.

Arrested there were Gail Buckner, 38, Sharon Cooper, 54, and Alexander James Quintasket, 19, all of Lakeland.

In the car with them were a sheriff's-issued .40 Glock, a 12-gauge Renmington shotgun and the deputy's personal .390 Walter PPK pistol, the sheriff's office said.

The deputy's wife and mother-in-law were charged with Vehicle Theft, Theft of a Firearm and Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer. His wife was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. She had a prior arrest in the county under her maiden name, Gail McClain, the sheriff's office said.

Quintasket was charged with Grand Theft, Impersonating a Law Enforcement Office., Grand Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm or Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon and Resisting an Officer without violence (for giving a false name).

The arrest affidavit said when interviewed, Cooper said her daughter wanted to take her for a ride in the patrol car because she has a terminal illness. She said they didn't think of the consequences, even when they saw traffic leaving the roadway to get out of their way.

Quintasket told investigators he knew he probably shouldn't have been in the car, but that Buckner had the keys and he assumed she had permission to drive it. He called the ride "exciting."

He said he gave the officer a false name because he "is currently out of jail on bond for Armed Robbery and he knows if he goes back to jail he will not have a bond," the affidavit said.

All three were booked into the county jail. Quintasket was held without bond.

Arrest Reports: (PDF)

• Gail Buckner
• Sharon Cooper
• Alexander Quintasket