MO Highway Patrol fires Trooper Anthony Piercy

ABC 17 News has learned the Missouri State Highway Patrol has terminated the employment of Anthony Piercy.

Capt. John Hotz with the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed the decision Friday.

Piercy is the trooper involved in the 2014 drowning of 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ellingson was arrested for suspicion of boating under the influence and while in custody and in handcuffs Ellingson went overboard and drowned.

Piercy pleaded guilty in June to negligent operation of a vessel, a misdemeanor.

ABC 17 News obtained this email sent to Ellingson’s father Friday, from the highway patrol:

Mr. Ellingson:

On December 11, 2017, I convened a Procedural Hearing Board to conduct a hearing related to administrative charges brought against Trooper Anthony C. Piercy. The charges brought against Trooper Piercy are directly related to the death of your son, Brandon Ellingson. The board concluded that Trooper Piercy violated the policies of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and that his actions warranted discipline. The final decision regarding discipline of Patrol employees rests with me. Therefore, I am informing you Trooper Piercy’s employment with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was terminated effective December 15, 2017.

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, Superintendent