Civil Service Commission upholds Linn deputy sheriff's firing

The firing of a Linn County sheriff's deputy after his arrest for drunken driving has been upheld by the county civil service commission.

The Linn County Civil Service Commission for Deputy Sheriffs ruled unanimously that Sheriff Brian Gardner had just cause for firing Travis Klima. Klima had challenged Gardner's decision in a commission hearing Jan. 7.

Klima, 30, pleaded guilty to drunken driving after his arrest in Decorah last Oct. 23. Klima, a deputy for three years, had previously been disciplined for his performance as a jailer. The one-year suspension of his driver's license would have also put Klima in violation of departmental policy.

Klima and his attorney, Carter Stevens of Waterloo, tried to convince commissioners Klima warranted a suspension from work but not firing.