A Euclid police officer honored by the city earlier this month for his heroism is now suspended after he was arrested and charged with pulling a gun during a bar fight last week in Willoughby. Officer Todd Gauntner is charged with using a weapon while intoxicated.
Investigators said Gauntner got into an argument with two other men early Friday morning at Frank and Tony's Place on Second Street. Witnesses said that led to pushing, and that's when police said Gauntner pulled out the gun.
"He has a gun, it's loaded," a bartender can be heard telling dispatchers on a 911 call from the incident. "He held it to somebody's head."
Gauntner and another officer were honored by the city earlier this month for helping to save a shooting victim found lying in the street back in January.
This wasn't the first time Gauntner was accused of having a run-in with police involving a gun. In 2015, Gauntner was suspended for 90 days for firing shots at Euclid's Sims Park on Thanksgiving. Police said Gauntner was off-duty at the time. A judge fined the officer and ordered him to attend counseling.
Gauntner is scheduled to be in court later this week. He hung up the phone when News 5 contacted him Tuesday.
Euclid police also wouldn't comment on the arrest.
The other two men who police said were involved in Friday's fight face assault charges.
Gaunter pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 20.
