An almost hour-long, closed-door executive session concluded Tuesday with Starkville aldermen voting to discipline Starkville Police Department Officer Drew Jones and tender a potential case against former Officer William Thrasher to the district attorney for possible prosecution.
Few details were provided on the record about the incidents that led to the board’s actions, as numerous elected officials and city employees declined to comment on the personnel matter and possible legal action.
However, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, it is believed a pedestrian was struck by a police cruiser driven by Thrasher while he patrolled either Ward 6 or Ward 7 last month.
It is also believed the board’s action against Jones is unrelated to the action involving Thrasher.
Mayor Parker Wiseman confirmed Thrasher resigned last week and said no formal criminal charges have been filed against the former SPD employee. The mayor declined to comment further on the matter.
The motion to tender the potential Thrasher case to District Attorney Scott Colom’s office was split 3-2 along racial lines, with Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn, Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn supporting the matter and Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and Ward 3 Alderman David Little opposing.
The exact disciplinary action against Jones was unknown as of publication. That motion was approved with a 5-0 vote.
Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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