Vidalia Gives Shooting Investigation Update
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The City of Vidalia has provided an update on the recent officer-involved shooting investigation, as they explained that one officer has been reinstated and another remains suspended.
At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, two Vidalia police officers conducted a routine traffic stop at the intersection of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Epstein Street in Vidalia. During the stop, the officers determined that the passenger of the vehicle – Travis Kelly Parrish, 47, of Lyons – had an continued from page
outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Officers attempted to arrest Parrish, and one officer deployed a taser and shot at Parrish. The shot wounded Parrish, who was taken to the Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in critical condition.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested to investigate the incident by the Vidalia Police Department as a part of the officer-involved shooting protocol, and the Department investigated the situation through an internal administrative review.
The Department has concluded that review, and reinstated Lieutenant Kelsey Coursey to duty, as it was determined that she did not violate any of the Department’s policies.
The other officer involved in the shooting remains suspended, and now has ten days to respond and appeal a proposed action regarding her employment, per the City’s established personnel policies. This officer’s identity has not been released.
The City stated that no additional information regarding the internal review will be provided until the process concludes.
The City’s administrative process is distinct from the criminal investigation being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The City’s determinations are based solely on the careful application of departmental policies and standard operating procedures, not on any judgment or finding of criminal wrongdoing.
The City released a public statement regarding the findings, saying, “The City of Vidalia remains committed to transparency, accountability, and fairness while respecting both due process and the integrity of the GBI’s independent investigation.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s criminal investigation is still ongoing.
