Sterling is the fourth officer since May to be dismissed amid scandal. Former Sgt. Timothy Heiden and former Officer Bernard Durgin Jr. were fired last week. Former Officer Joseph Gambardella was fired in May.

Also Tuesday, Police Chief Paul Jakubson recommended that a fifth cop, Officer Daniel Hedges, be fired for misconduct unrelated to any charges against the other officers.

After a five-hour, closed-door hearing and about 90 minutes of deliberation, the Police Commission voted unanimously to fire Sterling, upholding six of the eight administrative charges against him.

Sterling was charged with initially misleading Internal Affairs in its investigation of allegations that Durgin, and others, consorted with prostitutes on duty.

Earlier this month, Sgt. Trent Fox, who was involved in departmental investigations, testified that Durgin and three officers whose names were not revealed had met with prostitutes during their shifts at various spots throughout town.

Commissioners also sustained charges that Sterling associated with convicted felon Albert LeClaire, and visited a Bridgeport house of prostitution where he paid amounts consistent with fees for sex. The commission concluded that Sterling was “untruthful” when he didn’t admit to frequenting strip clubs and massage parlors.

Charges that Sterling falsified records and manipulated the internal investigation were not sustained. Commission Chairman Emile Geisenheimer said commissioners were mindful of Sterling’s cooperation with authorities in the later stages of internal investigations, as well as the pain he and his family would endure after his firing.

However, Geisenheimer said, the evidence left the commission with “no choice.”

“The commission was overwhelmed by its first consideration … the welfare of the citizens of Madison and their reliance on officers sworn to serve and protect them. The second (consideration) was the Police Department and the need for officers to know they’re held to a very high standard of behavior,” he said.

Michael Brady, attorney for the Regional Counsel for the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, shook his head after the hearings.

“He’s a good man and a good officer and nothing here is going to change that,” Brady said of Sterling.

Sterling’s firing is another blow to a department operating with about 18 available officers.

The commission voted to fire Heiden, brought up on administrative charges of interfering in a state police investigation and failure to supervise, and Durgin, who faced 50 administrative charges, ranging from consorting with prostitutes to worker’s compensation fraud, last week.

Gambardella was fired in May after allegedly committing thefts at two Madison businesses.

Criminal charges against Durgin and Gambardella are pending in court. None of the others has been charged criminally.

Hedges faces termination for violations relating to respect, civility, conduct unbecoming an officer, and absence from duty without proper authority.

The specifics of those charges, which department attorney William Clendenen Jr. said stemmed from multiple on-duty and off-duty issues, were not made public.

Testimony in Hedges’ hearing is likely to begin Thursday. It is expected to be conducted in closed session.

Amanda Pinto can be reached at apinto@nhregister.com, or 789-5734.