Sheriff McGuffey was pulled over the day after her deputy died. Here’s what happened

CINCINNATI (ENQUIRER) - Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey was pulled over for speeding in Clermont County last month and let off with a warning, according to our media partners at the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The stop happened May 27, just one day after Hamilton County Deputy Marcus Zeigler died following a medical emergency while training at the Great Oaks Police Academy.

A body camera captured the stop. McGuffey was traveling east on Ohio 32 toward Batavia Road just before 1 p.m. on May 27 when she was pulled over.

The Clermont County Deputy told her she was doing 72 mph in a 55 mph zone.

McGuffey handed him her license and said she was the sheriff of Hamilton County. She said she had her uniform sitting next to her in the front seat of her personal vehicle, a Ford F-150 truck.

She explained to the deputy she was dealing with the Zeigler’s death. He had been with the department nine months.

McGuffey told the deputy she was speaking to her public information officer, visiting with her other recruits and working with Zeigler’s family.

“I have your information and everything like that,” the deputy said. “I’ll let you go with a warning.”

“I appreciate it,” McGuffey replied. “I swear to God I normally drive great. Thank you so much.”

McGuffey told The Enquirer she was distracted after spending two days coping with the loss of her deputy.

“My priority at that moment – and always – is the deputies that work for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office,” McGuffey said. “The family needed our support. It was very, very important to me to notify the department and treat the family with the care, concern and privacy they deserve.”

She said the deputy that stopped her did his job.

The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office compiles reports each year about the number of traffic citations and warnings it issues. The department usually issues more warnings than citations. In 2022, deputies issued 1,906 warnings and 1,148 citations.

“I’m not a superhero. I’m a person just like everyone else,” McGuffey said. “I do the best I can.”

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