Representatives for fired South Carolina Deputy Ben Fields continued to defend his actions, despite reports that the teenage girl he slammed and dragged across a Spring Valley High School classroom remains bruised and traumatized.

"We believe that Mr. Fields' actions were justified and lawful throughout the circumstances of which he was confronted during this incident," CNN reports defense attorney Scott Hayes said in a statement. "To that extent we believe that Mr. Fields' actions were carried out professionally and that he was performing his job duties within the legal threshold."

Indeed, many students insist Fields' reputation proceeded his arrival on the scene of the incident, adding that the hulking lawmen is widely known among the student body as "Officer Slam," presumably based on previous encounters with students.

Over his career, Fields reportedly has faced accusations of misconduct on at least two occasions, including one riddled with racial overtones.

"When he came in the classroom, I immediately told my classmates, 'Get your phones out, get your phones out,'" Niya Kenny said. "I think this is going to go downhill. And it did."

According to the New York Daily News, Todd Rutherford, the attorney for the 16 year old who remains unidentified, claims his client, already a ward of the state and living in foster care, suffered injuries to her face, neck and arm. The U.S. Justice Department has now launched an investigation to determine if her civil rights were violated, and the FBI will conduct a criminal probe of the incident.

Reports are the entire episode unfolded after the girl was instructed to put away her cell phone and refused, prompting classroom instructors to call for assistance.

Once there, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott admits "there's no justification" for some of the actions taken by Fields, which ended with the victim and Kenny being arrested on "disturbing schools" charges.

"The actions by Deputy Fields was not typical of the job I expect them to do," Lott said of all of his officers, adding that watching footage of Fields in action at Spring Valley made him want "to throw up."