Deputy Adam Spoon turned in his badge Monday, resigning from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Spoon, 29, chose to resign rather than face disciplinary action for his conviction of brandishing a weapon while off duty in Carson City, according to Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini.
Spoon was convicted March 3 in a five-hour bench trial in Carson City.
The incident occurred Sept. 24, 2005, at the intersection of Carson and William streets at about 10 p.m.
A motorcyclist yelled at Spoon for allegedly tailgating him. Spoon, who was driving his pickup, backed up even with the motorcyclist to deny tailgating.
According to both sides, a yelling match ensued, which prompted Spoon to draw his weapon.
Spoon had been on administrative leave after his March 3 conviction. Visiting Judge Steve McMorris imposed no sentence on the deputy, saying the conviction would cost Spoon his job.
The motorcyclists, Sean and Julie Bowers of Rocklin, Calif., retained Carson City attorney Day Williams and Julie Bowers testified she intended to seek damages from Spoon as a result of the incident.
Spoon was not allowed to enter evidence about his training or his record after Carson City prosecutor Kristin Luis objected. Because the incident occurred when Spoon was off-duty expert testimony was excluded.
Part of that testimony was the medal Spoon received during a shooting incident at Kingslane Mobile Home Park on April 2 in Gardnerville.
Spoon defended his actions while testifying during cross-examination, saying he could not see Sean Bowers' hands for portions of the confrontation.
"To me tone has a lot to do with how you react," he said when asked whether it was right to pull his weapon by Luis.
Spoon is married and has three children.
He served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for three years.
