Lancaster deputies who shot pastor return to restricted duty

The two Lancaster County sheriff’s deputies who fatally shot a domestic violence suspect at a Lancaster store in May have returned to the sheriff’s office on restricted duty.

Maj. Matt Shaw returned to duty last month, and Detective Brad Whitesides returned July 8, said Doug Barfield, a sheriff’s office spokesman. They were placed on administrative leave while the State Law Enforcement Division investigated the May 28 fatal shooting of a pastor, who allegedly held several people at gunpoint and pointed his gun at officers during a domestic dispute with his wife.

Several deputies responded to the Carolina Corner store on U.S. 521 north of Lancaster on May 28. Darrell Morgan, 60, a Lancaster County pastor, allegedly had three people, including his wife, in harm’s way when he pointed the gun he was holding at officers. He was killed when the officers shot him after he pointed the gun at them, officials have said.

Shaw and Whitesides are now on restricted duty, according to Barfield.

“That means they’re not involved in enforcement activities at this point,” he said. “It is not uncommon at all.”

Shaw has served the sheriff’s office since 2001 and has been the agency’s public information officer for years in addition to his other duties as part of the sheriff’s command staff. Whitesides, a detective, has been with the department for 10 years.

SLED investigates any officer-involved shooting. Spokesman Thom Berry said there is no law requiring law enforcement agencies to place an officer on leave while a shooting is investigated.

“That is strictly a departmental decision that the local departments make,” he said.

Barfield said the two officers will remain on restricted duty until Sixth Circuit Solicitor Randy Newman completes his review. A message left with Newman was not immediately returned.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Lancaster deputies who shot pastor return to restricted duty."