WORTHINGTON, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Soldiers and police officers have much more in common than uniforms and guns. They both serve their country and their communities.

But one former solider, who came back home and joined a small local police force, has watched his life unravel. Travis Utley is an American war hero who fears he's lost the respect of his community and just about everyone else.

Utley recently lost his job as a Worthington police officer after allegedly smoking marijuana -- something he said did not happen.

But Worthington Police Chief Mike Hartman said Utley's not telling the truth. He said that after about five months on the small town force -- Utley, a 25-year-old rookie -- crashed a cruiser about three weeks ago, then tested positive for marijuana and resigned.

Utley said he was clean, but the chief "had it in for him" and that he had just passed a police academy entrance drug test eight hours before the crash.

"I wanted another drug test," Utley said. "They said they would not do it. I wish I had gotten an attorney, but it would not have mattered."

But what did matter to Utley's mother -- so proud back in 2003 -- was when her Army specialist son was locally and nationally recognized as a point man in the capture of Saddam Hussein.

"I was the one who pulled Saddam out of the hole," he said. "Now I'm unemployed and don't know how I will pay the rent."

Now on disability after suffering leg injuries from a roadside bomb, Utley said he didn't smoke marijuana until he got out of the service.

"I did when I got out but not after I became a cop," he said.

Hartman refused an on-camera interview, referring us to the city attorney. He did say, however, that Utley crashed a police cruiser, tested positive for marijuana and resigned instead of being fired. He added that Utley was a troubled young man.

Remembering his celebrated past and living hand-to-mouth on $200 disability a month, the war veteran said his bleak future gives him no reason to celebrate at all.

"My name's not as good as it was; it may never be again," Utley said. "I'm going to leave this area."

Worthington city attorney Paul Craft said he would not comment further on personnel matters. He did say he has full faith in Hartman's credibility as a veteran law enforcement officer.