A former officer with the Rome Police Department was arrested early Sunday morning on three counts of theft by taking and one count of violation of his oath of office after he was indicted by a Floyd County Grand Jury on Friday.

Kerry Duane Wagner, 47, of 20 Conasauga Court, Rome, is accused of stealing about $25,000 from September, 2006 to September, 2010 from the Coosa Valley Fraternal Order of Police, according to District Attorney Leigh Patterson.

The charges are not related to his duties as a Rome police officer. Wagner had been treasurer of the Coosa Valley FOP since 2002, said Ghee Wilson, president of the FOP.

The FOP hosts several charity events, the largest is Christmas with Santa Cops, where officers take needy children shopping for Christmas gifts.

In November of 2010, the Coosa Valley FOP issued a news release stating that the new treasurer had discovered some discrepancies in the bookkeeping.

“When the new treasurer assumed control of the books he found several reoccurring transactions which included ATM and dining purchases,” the news release said. “The matter was addressed with Wagner and he immediately offered to reimburse the money.”

The FOP turned the matter over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which turned their findings over to Patterson.

Wagner has paid all of the money back, Wilson said on Sunday night.

After the allegations were discovered, the FOP adopted new policies that address purchases and expense payments.

“We are still out trying to do the best we can to help these children in Floyd County have the best Christmas we can possibly give them,” Wilson said in a statement Sunday night. “The only way possible we can do this is through the help of the community, either through private donations, or participations in one of our many fundraisers throughout the year. I would like to personally thank all of the citizens of Floyd County who have supported this organization throughout the past year, and continue to do so.”

A member of the Rome Police Department’s DUI Task Force, Wagner was a 20-year veteran of the department.

He resigned last November after the allegations surfaced.

“It’s a very sad day for Kerry and his family and for all of those that know him and who worked with him over the years,” said Rome Police Chief Elaine Snow. “My prayers will be with him and his family.”

Wagner was released from jail on a $5,000 bond Sunday.