Callaway County sheriff deputy back to work after December shooting incident
UPDATE: The Missouri State Highway Patrol delivered its investigation of this deputy-involved shooting to prosecutors. Prosecutors said they have yet to review the case.
ORIGINAL STORY, 1/12/16: Sergeant Shawn Griggs, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control, said the investigation for a deputy-involved shooting in Callaway County is almost complete.
The incident happened on the night of December 12 in the 1800 block Highway 94 where a bike club was having a social gathering.
Sheriff deputies were called to the party for reports of a disturbance with a weapon.
According to court documents, when law enforcement arrived on scene, Joshua Huddleston, 28, of California, Mo., refused to drop his gun and made a threatening move toward deputies.
The sheriff’s department confirmed a 14-year veteran sergeant then shot Huddleston.
The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave while the Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control investigated.
Monday, Sheriff Dennis Crane confirmed the deputy was back on duty. He said the veteran sergeant was back to work about a week after the shooting incident.
Sheriff Crane said they would not release the name of the deputy until the Highway Patrol’s investigation was complete.
“We’re always concerned when something like this happens,” he said. “But we didn’t see where any policies were broken by the deputy.”
The sheriff would not comment on the internal policy at the department.
Huddleston was treated at University Hospital for six days for his injuries. He was released on December 18 and posted a surety bond the same day. A judge lowered Huddleston’s bond from $100,000 to $50,000.
The Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney charged Huddleston with first degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon motivated by discrimination, unlawfully use of a loaded weapon while intoxicated, and armed criminal action.
His arraignment hearing is scheduled for January 29.
