Dorchester Co. Deputy Files Discrimination Lawsuit Against Sheriff’s Office

DORCHESTER CO., Md. – In Dorchester County, a Sheriff’s deputy is taking the county Sheriff to court.

The deputy, Elizabeth Stacey, was originally hired by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) in 2017. However, Stacey claims worsening employment conditions following a 2023 injury, including having her K-9 revoked in 2024. Her lawsuit, filed against Dorchester County Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr., cites reduced assignments that were considered “punitive” in nature.

Stacey’s claims include discrimination on the basis of disability following her injury, sexual discrimination, and retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Deputy First Class Stacey is demanding a jury trial on all issues in the Dorchester County Circuit Court. She seeks financial compensation in excess of $450,000 for damages, backpay, and litigation expenses.

Line-of-Duty Injury in 2023

On May 25, 2023, Stacey was injured during a foot pursuit when she tackled a suspect, hurting her right knee. She immediately sought medical treatment, and imaging revealed damage to her medial collateral ligament and meniscus. She was prescribed physical therapy three times per week for eight weeks. While Stacey returned to full duty on Jun. 24, 2023, the lawsuit claims she continued to experience severe pain and swelling during physical therapy.

In Jul. 2023, Stacey obtained a second orthopedic opinion, which led to a diagnosis of Plica Syndrome; a condition characterized by chronic pain, swelling, instability, and diminished range of motion. She was prescribed medication, a right knee brace, continued physical therapy, and recommended surgical intervention. The surgery was denied by the DCSO’s insurance carrier, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company.

In Sept. 2023, Stacey received a cortisone injection that did not improve her condition. Due to persistent pain and functional limitations, her physician placed her on medical leave.

Alleged Threats Following Injury

Stacey was placed on medical leave in Oct. 2023 and stopped receiving pay. At the Department’s Christmas party at the beginning of Dec. 2023, Stacey spoke with Sheriff Phillips regarding her injury. Stacey claims Sheriff Phillips told her that if she did not return to work imminently, her K-9 would be taken from her. Stacey became a K-9 handler in Jun. 2020, and was partnered with a German Shepard named Adaline in Oct. 2020. From Oct. 2020 through Feb. 2024, Adaline lived with Stacey and her family and worked alongside Stacey on patrol.

Fearing the loss of Adaline, Stacey requested to return to work on light duty on Dec. 6, 2023. Two days later, she was assigned light-duty work at the Dorchester County Circuit Court monitoring security cameras.

On Dec. 8, 2023, Stacey claims she was confronted by Major John Stitchberry, who was a DCSO Captain at the time of the incident. Major Stitchberry reprimanded Stacey for discussing an inquiry with a County Councilman. He subsequently informed Stacey that the department was removing her badge and duty weapons, and falsely claimed that she had failed her firearms qualifications and agility training. Stacey completed these requirements prior to her injury.

K-9 Removal & Unequal Treatment

On Feb. 2, 2024, Stacey was informed that Adaline was being reassigned to a different handler, and instructed to clean out her K-9 patrol car. Several days later, she received a letter stating that effective Feb. 12, 2024, she would be reassigned to administrative patrol hours at DCSO. On Feb. 14, 2024, Sheriff Phillips called Stacey and informed her that her K-9 partner and K-9 privileges were being permanently removed without explanation. Officers removed K-9 Adaline from Stacey’s home the following day.

During her administrative patrol assignments, Stacey claims she was prohibited from wearing her badge or firearm, while similarly situated male deputies on light duty were permitted to do so. Further, she was not assigned a take-home vehicle and was prohibited from leaving the building during her shifts, restrictions not imposed on male colleagues. Stacey also asserts that she was assigned undesirable overnight shifts while light-duty male deputies worked standard day shifts.

The lawsuit asserts that Stacey received different treatment than her male counterparts, citing a male k-9 handler, Deputy Joe Carpenter. Deputy Carpenter was on medical leave from Nov. 2023 through Jun. 2024 due to a shoulder injury, and his K-9 was never threatened or removed.

Stacey was also reprimanded by her supervisor for expressing distress after learning that members of her squad were exchanging messages mocking her injury, in addition to using an old photograph to claim she was uninjured.

Mental Health Leave & Surgery

On Feb. 17, 2024, Stacey took stress-related medical leave and was ultimately prescribed medication for anxiety and depression after seeking treatment from multiple providers. She exhausted significant leave before returning to work on Mar. 25, 2024.

On May 29, 2024, Stacey underwent the recommended surgery for her right knee. Her physician cleared her to return to work with four weeks of light duty beginning Jun. 17, 2024.

Upon returning to work in Jun. 2024, Human Resources Director Kristine Budd informed Stacey that light duty and accommodations would not be provided, contrary to past practices. Additionally, Stacey’s injury was classified as “personal” rather than work-related. She was sent home, and remained on unpaid leave until Jul. 25, 2024. During this period, Sheriff Phillips allegedly told Stacey that she was “wasted potential”.

Upon returning to work in Jul. 2024, she was assigned a patrol vehicle with approximately 150,000 miles, mechanical problems, and an active check-engine light. She was issued a new car in Feb. 2025, but was advised by a corporal that Sheriff Phillips did not want to assign her the newer vehicle.

Stacey filed a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights on Oct. 7, 2024.

Application for K-9 Position & Subsequent Reassignment

On Jun. 20, 2025, Stacey submitted a letter of interest in becoming a K-9 handler in response to an agency-wide solicitation. Sheriff Phillips ultimately assigned the K-9 to Deputy Walker, who had graduated from the police academy six months prior, remained on probationary status, and had no K-9 handling experience.

On Aug. 27, 2025, Stacey met with Sheriff Phillips and inquired as to why she was not assigned the K-9 position. The sheriff allegedly told Stacey that her performance statistics were considered low, and advised her that she would need to increase traffic stops, arrests, and citations in order to be considered for a future K-9 assignment. Further, Sheriff Phillips told Stacey she should seek alternative employment if she was unwilling or unable to do so.

On Nov. 20, 2025, Sheriff Phillips informed Stacey that she was being reassigned to the Circuit Courthouse beginning Dec. 8, 2025, stating she was chosen because the judge requested a female deputy. The reassignment reduced Plaintiff’s scheduled hours from 84 to 80 hours per biweekly pay period, and eliminated consistent grant-funded overtime, including approximately four hours per week as a School Resource Officer. Stacey expressed concerns surrounding her ability to provide transportation to her daughter, which were dismissed. She also had seniority over other female deputies who were not reassigned.

On Nov. 24, 2025, Lieutenant D. Hagadorn attempted to reassign Stacey to an “inadequately equipped spare vehicle”. Stacey’s supervisor intervened, and Lieutenant Hagadorn later stated that the Sheriff was “messing with” Stacey because she was suing him. At this time, no litigation had began and only an EEOC complaint had been filed.

On Dec. 9, 2025, despite prior approval to drop off her daughter, Stacey was criticized for arriving after 8:30 a.m. Sargent Jake Todd, who was a corporal at the time, told Stacey that she was
“already drama.” On the same day, Lieutenant Hagadorn instructed Stacey to switch from her patrol vehicle to an older car with a dead battery and multiple repair needs.

Under Maryland law, since more than 180 days have passed since the filing of the EEOC complaint, Stacey has exhausted her administrative remedies prior to filing the lawsuit.

WMDT will continue to provide updates as details are made available.