A South Carolina police officer has been cleared by state investigators and the state’s 12th Circuit Solicitor’s office in a fatal police-involved shooting last year.
Florence Police Officer Thomas Herman was cleared of any wrongdoing in the July shooting of Jethro Benjamin, who “produced a handgun” during a call at a local hotel and began firing at Herman.
“Officer Herman ordered Mr. Benjamin to the ground and Mr. Benjamin hid behind a vehicle. Mr. Benjamin then fired at Officer Herman and Officer Herman returned fire as he moved to a position of cover. A brief volley of gunfire was exchanged and Mr. Benjamin was wounded,” FPD Lieutenant M. Brandt wrote in a press release.
Officers provided aid to Benjamin after taking him down, assisting with respiratory failure until Florence County EMS could haul him to a hospital. He would later succumb to his injuries.
“Chief (Allen) Heidler requested that the State Law Enforcement Division investigate this incident. The Florence Police Department also conducted an internal inquiry into this incident. As a result of both investigations, it has been determined that Officer Thomas Herman acted in accordance with state law, as well as departmental policy,” Brandt said in the release.
According to SCNow, the incident took place on the afternoon of July 14, at the Hilton Garden Inn along the Interstate 20/95 Interchange.
© 2019 Bright Mountain Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of Bright Mountain Media, Inc. which may be contacted at info@brightmountainmedia.com, ticker BMTM.
