Later that day, he told the city manager that he was stepping down regardless. On Monday, he made that official.

It was a departure made without fanfare just Steven Burch getting help clearing out his office fewer than six months after moving in.

Burch declined to speak on camera Monday about why he decided to resign, but that he would give his side of the story later in the week.

"The findings have come back that there was no discriminatory action on his part, and I think he's been treated fairly," said Lake City City Manager Scott Reynolds.

You may remember Burch served a five day suspension last month for forwarding an email without reviewing the content that some officers found offensive. He thought it was an investigative tool. Another discrimination accusation by other officers was found to be without merit last week. The same day burch resigned.

"I know this man has been through a lot, and somewhat yes I was taken aback, but in some ways no because he's been through a lot since he's been working with the city," said Reynolds.

Reynolds says Burch beat out 80 other applicants for the job because of his sense of community, the success he had in starting programs to get volunteers involved, and the diversity background he had through working at the St. Petersburg and Clearwater police departments.

"At this point, I'm remorseful for the situation but we have to work through it, the police department is doing their job," said Reynolds.