Sumter deputy fired after DUI arrest

An off-duty deputy with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office was arrested early Saturday morning in Sumter and charged with driving under the influence.

Robert Alden Burnish, 28, was not in uniform, using an agency vehicle, or in possession of a service weapon at the time of the incident, according to a statement released by the sheriff’s office. Burnish was charged with DUI and and violating the open alcoholic container law.

He was fired after an in-house review.

“I do not condone, and will not tolerate this type of behavior from my deputy sheriffs,” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

The sheriff’s office is not involved in the investigation and prosecution of the charges, the sheriff’s office said in the statement. The charges are being handled by the Sumter Police Department and South Carolina Highway Patrol.