Firefighter Placed On Paid Administrative Leave Following Arrest

As Pasco County Sheriff’s officials release more information about a May 30 , Hillsborough officials say they will stand behind their employee until the case is resolved.

Land O’ Lakes resident Donald John Elkington III, 43, was arrested June 1 following an incident at the Lake Padgett Estates clubhouse, 4533 Savannah Dr. Elkington is a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighter.

According to the Pasco sheriff’s office, the victim in the case, a 65-year-old Land O’ Lakes man whose name Patch is not releasing, ordered a beer from the bar and then went into the restroom. When he came back out, Elkington was standing by his chair. The victim tried to move his chair over, somehow upsetting Elkington in the process, said Pasco sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll.

At this point, Pasco deputies say, Elkington picked up the man’s beer mug and hit him in the face. He then pushed the man to the ground, causing “major bruising to his shoulder and back,” the affidavit said.

The incident was captured on surveillance video.

Elkington was charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65. He was released from the Land O’ Lakes Jail June 2 on $50,000 bond.

Hillsborough County has placed Elkington on paid administrative leave, said county spokesman Willie Puz. He will remain on paid leave pending the outcome of the case, Puz added.

The victim in the case declined comment.