TRUMBULL COUNTY Deputy's forced leave is over

The deputy says he is happy to be back to work.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Brain Kaintz gets to reload.
The Trumbull County deputy sheriff who was placed on unpaid administrative leave last month for firing his gun at a fleeing car reported back to work this morning.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere had recommended that Kaintz be fired and placed him on the unpaid leave Sept. 6. Kaintz appealed and the case was set for arbitration.
The move comes a week after the Trumbull County grand jury decided there was not enough evidence to indict the deputy.
"After the grand jury came back with the no-bill we thought we should bring him back," Altiere said this morning. "We are glad to have him back. We felt that the time he had off without pay was his punishment."
The sheriff said Kaintz is a good deputy. He added that the prosecutor's office "was in full agreement" with his decision to bring Kaintz back to work.
To undergo courses
The sheriff said Kaintz will undergo two refresher courses -- one in pursuit driving and one in use of force.
"I'm happy to go back to work," Kaintz said this morning, noting that he does not harbor any ill feelings.
The prosecutor's office said last week the grand jury reached its decision after meeting in a special session to investigate the shooting involving Kaintz and Christopher Rex of Southington.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation also investigated and sent its findings to the grand jury.
Altiere said originally that Kaintz violated department policy on the use of deadly force.
A videotape recorded by a camera in Kaintz's cruiser shows the deputy began chasing Rex around 2:15 a.m. June 26 on U.S. Route 422 near state Route 534.
At one point, Kaintz can be heard reporting his speed at more than 100 mph. The suspect's vehicle crashed while trying to make a turn.
Kaintz, who is not visible on the tape, can be heard telling the driver to stop. The tape shows the motorist putting the car in reverse, hitting Kaintz's cruiser, pulling forward, then reversing again before driving off.
Kaintz fired several shots at the tires as the vehicle drove off.
Rex was arrested at his home about 20 minutes later.
Rex faces charges of driving under the influence, driving under suspension, speeding, failure to control, failure to comply and felonious assault in Newton Falls Municipal Court.
sinkovich@vindy.com