From tragic to even worse.

The city's Fire and Police Commission Thursday suspended a police officer recently convicted of drunken driving pending the outcome of a hearing later this month. The suspension will be unpaid.

The commission found probable cause for the hearing based on a 15-page complaint filed by Moline Police Chief Gary Francque. The complaint outlines nine charges that Officer Timothy K. Saathoff, 33, broke city ordinances while off-duty.

It also alleges what happened the night of Officer Saathoff's arrest, including an assertion that he called an Illinois State trooper to see if there was anything he could do to help him out of the situation.

The complaint asks the commission to fire Officer Saathoff.

During the probable cause hearing, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police attorney Jeff Burke asked commissioners to keep an open mind and said Officer Saathoff's side of the story will come out in due time.

According to the complaint:

—Officer Saathoff called in sick the morning of June 29, 2005. He was scheduled to work the afternoon shift, but instead at about 6 p.m. went to the Ranch in Cordova and drank up to seven beers.

—Almost four hours later, he left the Ranch and went to the River Oaks Tavern, where he drank up to two more beers. At 10:30 p.m., he drove home, then left there to visit his ex-wife in Alpha, Ill., where he stayed until 2:15 a.m.

—While driving westbound on Interstate 80 near the Colona exit, Officer Saathoff's vehicle was in a collision with the side of a tractor-trailer. Officer Saathoff called 911 and followed the semi into Iowa.

—After authorities arrived, Officer Saathoff failed the nystagmus test -- a field sobriety test with the eyes. Officer Saathoff also allegedly asked a police officer if the incident was going to be released to the media since he had called in sick to work.

— At the scene, the complaint says, Officer Saathoff called the cell phone of Sgt. William E. Francis of the Illinois State Police -- who was out-of-town and sleeping at the time -- to ask if there was anything he could do to help him out. Sgt. Francis told an Illinois State trooper at the scene that he was following proper police investigative procedures.

— After being arrested, the complaint says Officer Saathoff allegedly told the officer, "You just (expletive) me," and "Can't you give a fellow officer a break?"

— During processing at the Scott County Jail, Officer Saathoff refused to answer questions or take a breathalyser test.

Officer Saathoff was convicted Jan. 20 of operating while intoxicated, first offense, after a bench trial.

City ordinance accusations against Officer Saathoff included conduct unbecoming of an officer; violating a criminal law; using coarse or insolent language to a superior officer, or a member of the police force, or to a citizen; and being intoxicated, the complaint says.

Though the story doesn't mention it, this particular cop lost his 8 year old son last September when he was hit by a semi while riding his bicycle in Alpha. Was he acting recklessly and doing something he most definitely shouldn't have? Yes. Should he be required to pay stiff fines and get treatment? Yes. His continued employment as a police officer may reasonably be questioned as well.

But now, due to the draconian attitude and increasingly harsh laws regarding DUI, rather than getting the help he needs and being able to resume his job at some point, as if dealing with his young son getting killed shortly after he'd moved to Alpha isn't enough, he's now likely to lose his career, his income, his insurance, his identity, what's left of his family, and be blacklisted for life.

This seems like yet another instance where the DUI laws and provisions are overkill and really don't address the real problem but only worsen them.