Fired Deputy seeks to get his job back , file federal lawsuit...

Something for you guys approaching retirement to remember, sheriff's offices are not (by state court decision) bound by the Police Officer Bill of Rights. Oldham and Jefferson do have Merit board's, but they are "packed" by the sheriffs, so they aren't going to decide against the sheriff's office. So, they can pretty much fire you at will, and you aren't even entitled to a day in court. (Unless, of course, you can find something federal.)

That doesnt mean the board isnt stacked against him. Even our board has bowed down to to pressures from the chiefs office.

Nope, they aren't, the Kentucky courts have already ruled that they do NOT have to provide Bill of Rights. (I agree that they should, and I think the statute is pretty clear that they should, but the Kentucky courts have already specifically said otherwise.)

Really, it is all about how well liked you are. If many of the "big" people like you, than you have nothing to worry about, however, if you are disliked, than no matter what the issue is you have a lot to worry about. In this case, the Cheif in question is well liked by his community, so I believe that he has nothing to worry about. On top of that, the deputy that lost his job has a bad history, so they are going to look at that. Notice, he didnt fight a big department like the State Police, but he is trying to fight a smaller department, something doesnt add up if you think about it. But honestly, it was the OCSD fault for hiring knowing his past in the first place. I also agree with the first comment, the rooms are filled with Sheriffs and they are not going to go against the Sheriffs Department. That is like turning your back on family.

Destroying evidence is a crime, and according to KRS 61.101 and .102, firing a public employee in KY for reporting a crime is also illegal. That applies to all public employees and not just law enforcement. That law is commonly called the Kentucky Whistleblower Act.