Officials: Police chief shoots himself just after suspension

By KEVIN MCGILL
Associated Press

Officials say a Mississippi police chief had been suspended just before he shot and killed himself outside the station.

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Don Bass says Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike DeNardo shot himself in the chest Thursday. He says the shooting appeared to be intentional.

Bass says DeNardo was standing outside a vehicle in the parking lot when he shot himself. He did not have information on who found him and reported the shooting.

Mayor Les Fillingame says DeNardo was under investigation by the sheriff’s office and had just been suspended. He wouldn’t give details but said he believed DeNardo would have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The police department’s website says DeNardo had worked there since 2004 and the mayor appointed him chief in 2010.