A Rockdale deputy is facing an internal investigation by the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office after a fight with his wife at Walmart led to an arrest for battery and family violence charges in Newton County.

RCSO Deputy Chad Edwards Stuarte, 26, and his 24-year-old wife were both arrested on battery and family violence charges on Saturday, May 3.

Chad Stuarte has been placed on administrative leave while the RCSO Office of Professional Standards investigates the incident. RCSO Chief Deputy Scott Freeman said the investigation would conclude Thursday.

A family violence conviction can jeopardize the ability of a law enforcement officer to serve in Georgia.

According to Newton County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Investigator Jeff Alexander, a verbal fight broke out between the couple while they were at the Walmart in Covington late Friday and continued as the couple went home, also in Newton County.

At home, the verbal fight escalated into a physical one. Both parties agreed that Stuarte's wife struck her husband first. She later told NCSO deputies that she had struck Chad once and he had hit her several times. Chad Stuarte told NCSO deputies that his wife had hit him several times and he had struck her once

However, their injuries appeared to indicate both parties had been hit multiple times.

The wife called 911 and by the time Newton County deputies arrived around 1 a.m. Saturday, the couple was calm and separated. Both refused medical treatment.  Both were arrested and charged with battery and family violence act violations.

Alcohol and drugs did not appear to be involved, said Alexander. Children were reportedly not involved and not present.