The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office cleared Lt. Steve Hatcher to return to duty Wednesday after firing his weapon at a suspected burglar almost two weeks ago.
“As far as our department was concerned, we don’t see anything that was out of policy,” Chief Deputy Greg Wright said. “He operated within the policy of this department and he did what he’s been trained to do.”
Hatcher was placed on paid administrative leave after a Nov. 14 shooting of Steven Craig McKee on Mike Parra Road. McKee is believed to have broken into a home at 115 Renee Circle that morning, and Hatcher spotted McKee near the residence and a brief chase ensued. Hatcher advised dispatchers that McKee was armed with a knife and McKee made a movement toward Hatcher, and the deputy shot him twice.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into the use of force and Wright said the agency will present its findings to a grand jury for review.
Law enforcement agencies usually place officers on leave when they are involved in a shooting. The length of the leave depends on the individual and the investigating agency’s reports.
According to Wright, the LCSO asked MBI to take part in order to have another set of eyes look at the incident.
“You do have to look at the whole set of circumstances, and they do in this case. But when it comes to actually filing charges against this individual, our department does that,” he said.
“Our department in conjunction with MBI looked at policy, and (Hatcher) returned to duty and we don’t see break of department policy.”
McKee, of 1038 Mike Parra Road, was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, and according to Wright, he was released from the hospital and is at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center. Wright previously said McKee faces charges of aggravated assault of an officer, felony possession of a weapon and burglary of a dwelling.
Officers found a mixed-breed Labrador Retriever-German shepherd when they searched McKee’s home; there was blood on the floor, and the dog had been stabbed at least 14 times. The animal underwent surgery at the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and is doing fine. No word yet on whether McKee was charged with animal cruelty.
This story contains reporting from Dispatch reporter Carmen Sisson.
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