Vidalia Police Off icer Resigns

Vidalia Police Department’s internal investigation of an officer- involved shooting has officially closed, as the police officer under investigation has resigned.

At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October

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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 continued from page

an 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 remained suspended until she officially resigned on November 10. This resignation concluded the Department’s internal administrative review of the situation, but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing to probe the case.

The City has no role in determining whether there will be criminal charges pressed regarding the incident.