A look into the decade-long career of a Columbia County deputy charged with drunk driving

Columbia County deputy Adam Fuller last month was fired following his arrest for allegedly driving with his family while intoxicated.

Despite the arrest, Fuller's personnel file details an exemplary employee who was consistently praised by superiors on his judgment throughout his decade-long law enforcement career.

Fuller, 42, is charged with speeding, seatbelt requirements, driving under the influence and DUI child endangerment in relation to the May 29 incident.

Just after 7:30 p.m., Georgia State Patrol pulled Fuller over on Washington Road for driving 20 mph over the speed limit, according to an incident report. Fuller stopped on the shoulder and the officer noted he smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the car, according to the report. Fuller admitted he was drinking and the officer asked if they could do some tests.

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After asking what would happen if he didn't take the tests, the officer told Fuller they would have to base the decision off of his driving pattern, the smell of alcohol, slurred speech and glassy eyes, according to the report.

Fuller denied a breathalyzer test and blood test and was placed into custody, according to the report. There were four children in the back of the vehicle, all 13 or older, and only three seatbelts.

The report notes Fuller told the officer he started to drink heavily because of personal issues.

When asked if he understood the charges, Fuller told the officer, "I get it, this [explicit] is going to hit the news."

Fuller was terminated on May 30, according to county records. The sheriff's office has not publicly commented on the arrest or subsequent termination.

Personnel file reveals history of exemplary work

Fuller was hired by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office in April 2006 as a deputy jailer, according to county records. Prior to his hire, Fuller admitted he had a misdemeanor charge of minor in possession in August 1999 and received a traffic citation for speeding in the summer of 2004.

Fuller worked within the patrol division until Dec. 5, 2017 when he left, according to records. He returned to the sheriff's office as a patrol deputy on April 17, 2023.

There are no records of investigations or disciplinary records in Fuller's personnel file. In nearly every annual performance review spanning his 10-year career, superiors described Fuller as someone with good judgement who rarely made mistakes.

Also included in Fuller's file are seven letters from members of the community recognizing Fuller for exceptional service.

In a letter sent to the sheriff's office in September 2009, a citizen said they were driving from Atlanta to North Carolina when they hydroplaned in McDuffie County and hit a guard rail, according to records. The driver called for help but no one showed up. Fuller asked if they were okay, continued to call for help, and stayed with them in pouring rain for more than 30 minutes until McDuffie County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived.

"Even though he was off duty and on his way home from a trip, he sacrificed his time and safety to stay with me during the most frightening time of my life," the citizen wrote.

Other letters detail Fuller going above and beyond his job duties to help injured citizens, high schoolers and young people with car trouble.