CLAY CENTER ? Clay County Sheriff Gary Caldwell has resigned after a state investigation into alleged tampering with evidence in a one-vehicle accident involving his grandson.

Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall’s office announced Tuesday it had filed a misdemeanor charge of official misconduct against Caldwell, who then entered into a diversion agreement and resigned from the job he has been in for 21 years.

As part of the diversion agreement, Caldwell, 60, also agreed not to work in any law enforcement capacity for one year.

“I loved this job and appreciated being able to serve the people of Clay County,” Caldwell told The Clay Center Dispatch.

The charge stemmed from an October 2000 accident involving his 21-year-old grandson, Shane V. McNeil. Caldwell was at the accident scene as it was being investigated by a state trooper.

Without elaborating, the Attorney General’s Office said Caldwell “unlawfully and knowingly destroyed, tampered with or concealed evidence of a crime.”

Undersheriff Chuck Dunn will head be interim sheriff.