TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Ex-Deputy Halts Appeal Of Firing

ADVERTISEMENT

By LISA A. DAVIS

ldavis@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - A former school resource officer who reportedly told a student he was falling in love with her will not appeal his firing from the Pasco Sheriff's Office as originally planned.

Cpl. Christopher Magavero, a school resource officer at River Ridge Middle School, was fired in October, the same day investigators say he took the 13-year-old out of class and declared his feelings.

"I feel like I'm falling in love with you," he told the student, according to sheriff's officials. Pasco County Sheriff Bob White fired Magavero, 42, after he acknowledged making the statement.

Shortly after Magavero pulled the girl into an administrative office for a chat, she told a guidance counselor what had happened. The counselor told another school resource officer, sparking an investigation.

Magavero later arranged to appeal his firing, but late last week through his attorney sent a letter to the sheriff's office canceling a Career Service Board hearing scheduled for Friday, stating he doesn't wish to pursue re-employment.

"Mr. Magavero has considered the possible detrimental effect that a public hearing may have on the student and his own family should he proceed with a hearing," attorney Kerry O' Connor wrote in the letter.

Magavero, who is married, had been a Pasco deputy since June 2000 and a school resource officer since 2004. He worked at several schools before going to River Ridge in 2004.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT