A former Myrtle Beach police detective who was fired after pointing his gun at a fellow officer during an argument over microwaved fish has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, and he’ll never work in law enforcement in South Carolina again.
According to court documents obtained by WPDE, Michael Debiase, 46, pleaded guilty to public disorderly conduct and agreed to pay a $350 fee. As part of the deal, he has to surrender his police certification and can never seek to have it reinstated.
The incident happened in June inside the police department. According to the arrest warrant, Debiase confronted a co-worker who had warmed up fish in the office microwave, leaving a strong smell. During that confrontation, the Myrtle Beach Police Department said, Debiase pointed his department-issued handgun at the other officer.
He was placed on administrative leave right away and later fired. He was originally charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, a more serious charge than the one he pleaded to.
No one was hurt.
Source: Court documents; Myrtle Beach Police Department, as reported by WPDE
