SC police officer focus of state probe laid off

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A police officer from a small South Carolina town investigated after he shot and killed the town’s ex-mayor has been laid off.

Cottageville Mayor Margaret Steen said Tuesday that Randy Price was let go because of budget cuts, not because of the State Law Enforcement Division investigation of a May 16 shooting in which Price killed former Mayor Bert Reeves.

Steen said she promised to keep Price on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe. She said she was contacted by SLED last week that the investigation is complete and will go to the local solicitor within 10 days.

The town is left with a police chief, two officers and several part time officers. The Colleton County community of about 750 people is located between Summerville and Walterboro.