FIRST ON 3: New Hanover deputy under investigation

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The future of a New Hanover County deputy is up in the air tonight. The lieutenant who’s also the Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot is the subject of an internal investigation. The alleged incident happened at the Inlet Point Harbor community off Carolina Beach Road, but as of right now the Sheriff’s Office and the alleged victim are not saying much.

Lt. Scott Gerow has been the New Hanover County Sheriff’s helicopter pilot since 2008. But this past weekend something happened that has him on paid administrative leave. The Sheriff’s Office won’t say much about what happened. All it will confirm is that an internal investigation is underway stemming from the incident. A Sheriff’s Office spokesperson says no criminal charges were filed and that the internal investigation is to see if any policies were broken.

As for the alleged victim, he spoke to us off camera, saying that he wants nothing to do with Lt. Gerow. He also said he didn’t want to comment on a situation he has no control over, and even he refused to explain what happened.

We obtained a written report from county dispatch regarding this incident. It doesn’t say much, except that the initial call was about an assault.

We were told there was a call placed to 911 regarding Lt. Gerow. We have put in a request for a copy of that tape, but are still waiting for a response.