More information is emerging regarding the case of a suspended Mendota Heights sergeant who was fired Tuesday night.

Sgt. Bobby Lambert spoke in front of the Mendota Heights City Council and a packed room of supporters Tuesday night before the council voted 4-1 to terminate his employment.

"I'm shocked at the city's decision to terminate me," Lambert said during an impassioned 10-minute statement. "I'm saddened that someone who's performed at a high level for so many years could be treated so maliciously."

Fellow officers also spoke out saying they believe the decision to terminate the now former sergeant comes down to an issue of retaliation from the chief for a grievance Lambert and other officers filed in 2012.

"I've got to be careful up here because I don't want to be sitting in that seat right there," Mendota Heights Officer Mike Shepard said, as he pointed at the front row seat where Lambert was sitting.

"I know what happened," fellow Officer John Larrive said. "You know what happened. Do the right thing. Support Bobby Lambert."

Here's what two sources with direct knowledge of the investigation tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS: In January, Lambert and other officers responded to what turned out to be a heroin overdose case. The victim was already dead when they arrived. The officers, with Lambert in charge on the scene, confiscated heroin, needles and other evidence without getting a search warrant. Sources say that prevented prosecutors from pursuing charges, possibly second degree murder, against whomever supplied the drugs.

Michael Tabman, a retired FBI agent and now law enforcement consultant, says firing an officer with an otherwise solid 20-year record of service seems like an overreach based on what sources tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

"It seems to me a bit unusual to fire someone with that kind of record and without there being any bad intent or malice or cover up," Tabman said.

Neither the mayor nor the council would share details on the investigation, citing the Data Privacy Act.

Lambert says there are no other disciplinary actions in his personnel file.

"It is true I mishandled a call through my mistakes," Lambert told the city council. "The mistakes were not significant enough to warrant termination. I would accept discipline for my errors, but not termination."

Lambert says his next step will be to discuss taking legal action against the city.