GBI: Jackson officer lied about shooting, will be charged
JACKSON, Ga. - State investigators said they Jackson, Georgia police officer who claimed she was shot on Sept. 13 actually shot herself and then made up the story to cover for it.
The GBI announced they have issued arrest warrants for Jackson Police Officer Sherry Hall. Hall, who checked herself into a private facility for treatment unrelated to any physical wounds, will be charged with making a false statement, tampering with evidence, criminal damage to property, and violation of oath of office upon her release.
Hall originally said she spotted a man near the wood line on Camelia Court just after midnight on Sept. 13. She said she was shot in the abdomen area of her body armor when she confronted the man. Hall said she fired twice at the gunman before he fled. She gave investigators a description of the man before being taken to Macon Medical Center where she was treated and released.
"A lot of times humans make mistakes and we expect mistakes to be made. cops are just that they are humans and they make mistakes," said Butts County Sheriff Gary Long. "This is not a mistake this is criminal."
GBI agents later determined she had a second service weapon they believe was used during the incident, which they found during a search of her home. Investigators said there were also inconsistencies in her statement leading up to her no longer cooperating with the investigation when she was questioned again.
"For two weeks, the good people of the city of Jackson have poured out their hearts, their expressions of concern and their support for what we believe to be a police officer, one of our own, harmed in the line of duty," said Jackson Mayor Kay Pippin. "I share their disappointment in what we now believe to be a rouse."
App users: Click here to watch the YouTube clip
People are wondering why an officer would make up a story like this. Many law enforcement agencies have a rule which calls for the termination of an employee if a weapon is accidentally discharged. FOX 5’s Morse Diggs asked the Jackson Police Chief about that with his department.
“That rule does exist, however it's always mitigating circumstances. Again, situation of that caliber, we will have an independent agency look at that,” said Jackson Police Chief James Morgan.
The GBI has not specified if this incident was an accidental discharge situation.
Hall, who had only been on the force for three months at the time of the incident, has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.