A Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy remains on paid leave as the department awaits a final report from the Mercer/Henry County Major Crimes Task Force regarding an officer involved shooting. The shooting occurred June 12th during a drugs and weapons investigation in the Viola area. The deputy is Franklin Wade and Sheriff Dave Staley says the task force’s work is independent from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.
Two suspects were arrested during the June 12th incident. The one that was shot—28 year old Donavan Smith of Sherrard is now in custody at the Mercer County Jail along with 29 year old Alex Cady of Preemption. Both are awaiting trial on multiple charges—the most serious being a Class X felony of armed violence.