FARMINGTON – Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike will recommend that Deputy Christopher Chase return to active status with department, he said.

“I’m not opposed to someone who makes a mistake getting another chance,” Pike said, referring to Chase’s guilty plea Friday to driving to endanger.

“Chris has done a good job for us and I think he has been a good police officer. I intend to recommend he be returned to the fold.”

Pike said he would send his recommendation to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees. The board will review an internal investigation and Pike’s recommendation before it makes a decision, Pike said.

Chase and his police dog, Jack, have worked for the Sheriff’s Department since 2006.

Wilton police initially stopped the Chase on Route 2 on Nov. 21, 2008, when he was off duty and arrested him on a drunken-driving charge.

He has been on paid administrative leave since his arrest.

In a plea agreement, the OUI charge was dropped and Chase was fined $575 and had his license suspended 30 days, starting Feb. 9. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles rescinded a 275-day license suspension against Chase for refusing to take a blood alcohol level test. That suspension will be removed from Chase’s record.

Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Department, Chase worked for the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department and he was shot while assisting at a domestic violence call in Winslow in 2005. His bulletproof vest stopped the bullet just below his throat.

Before that, Chase served on the Farmington Police Department and for a brief time served as resource officer at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. He also served on the Wilton Police Department.