13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |IMPD 'Shift' star arrested for DUI

IMPD 'Shift' star arrested for DUI

Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A veteran IMPD homicide detective, found passed out behind the wheel of his squad car, is facing drunk driving charges.

Detective Jesse Beavers is one of the city's most experienced homicide detectives. He joined the police department in 1978, and has received medals of merit and numerous commendations over his career.

Beavers' work solving murders is also featured on the cable TV crime show, "The Shift".

"31 plus years, exemplary detective, one of the best we have," said Indianapolis Metro Police Lieutenant Jeff Duhamell.

But Detective Beavers now finds himself on the other side of the law.

"Knowing him, he knows that it was wrong," Duhamell said.

Beavers faces OWI charges, after officers found him passed out behind the wheel early Wednesday morning at the intersection of Guion Road and Industrial Boulevard on the northwest side.

Investigators say the detective's city-issued car was running and in gear.

"He had his foot on the brake, so they secured the vehicle so it wouldn't move," Duhamell said.

According to the police report, the responding officer tried to wake Detective Beavers by knocking on the door and yelling at him through the window. It wasn't until he opened the door and shook the detective numerous times that he finally woke up.

The report says Detective Beavers, who was off-duty at the time, seemed disoriented and unsteady on his feet.

He cooperated with officers, but failed all field sobriety tests.

On a chemical test, the detective's blood-alcohol level registered 0.16, twice the legal limit.

"The bottom line is police officers are held to a higher standard and it's unfortunate that this happened, but I can tell you this detective understands what's going forward and he knew, he knew he did wrong," Duhamell said.

In addition to OWI charges, the 31-year police veteran also faces potential discipline from the department, including up to 30 days suspension and loss of his take home car for up to a year.

Detective Beavers was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.