Deputy with history of violence to retire

LIMA - A sheriff's deputy with a history of violence who once cost the county $75,000 to settle a lawsuit will retire instead of fighting to keep his job, Sheriff Dan Beck said Wednesday.

Zane Ditto will retire sometime in the next two weeks with 25 years with the department, Beck said. Ditto, 47, however, cannot collect his retirement until he is 48.

Ditto and Beck reached an agreement after Beck told Ditto he had to go following a conviction in Putnam County for aggravated menacing last month. That charge was for striking his 6-year-old daughter.

Ditto and a financial officer at the department were working out the particulars, Beck said, which included deciding on whether Ditto will be paid a lump sum of nearly $18,000 he is owed in unused vacation, holiday and compensation time. The other option, which may work best for the department's budget, is to pay the money over a period of time, Beck said.

A key factor in not firing Ditto and allowing him to retire is the potential fight in arbitration, which could ultimately award Ditto back his job. That fight also could cost the county $10,000 in legal fees plus back pay while off work, Beck said.

Although Beck may appear to have good grounds to fire Ditto, he thought the same nearly 10 years ago after Ditto beat a handcuffed prisoner and Beck fired him. An arbitrator awarded Ditto his job back with back pay.

Through the agreement, Ditto, who works in the jail, can retire with benefits, Beck said.

In the meantime, Beck has moved Ditto into the control tower at the jail away from inmates and the potential of being a target by inmates looking to exploit him based on his history, Beck said.

Although Ditto has had issues in his personal life such as the criminal incident involving his daughter, Beck said Ditto has been a good employee with a strong work history during the past few years.

Last month, Ditto was ordered to serve 10 days jail for striking his daughter. The incident occurred Nov. 27 in Columbus Grove, where Ditto lives. Ditto was trying to fix his 6-year-old daughter's jeans when he became frustrated and struck the girl, sending her eight to 10 feet across the room, Columbus Grove Police Department Capt. Nick Gilgenbach said.

The girl had a small stature and Gilgenbach estimated she weighed less than 50 pounds, he said. Ditto's ex-wife notified police of the incident.

Ditto spent three days in jail nearly 10 years ago for beating a handcuffed prisoner in Allen County. Beck fired him in February 1999, but an arbitrator ruled later that year Ditto should get back his job.

Beck originally placed Ditto in a clerical position but later promoted him to lieutenant running the department's third shift. Ditto later was demoted to deputy following an inappropriate relationship with a lower-ranking officer, Beck said.

Beck has expressed concerns in the past about Ditto's ability to control his temper.