Tawaiin Harper was hard at work washing and wiping down cars Friday when we stopped by.
Earlier in the day he was paid an unexpected visit.
Danville Police Chief Philip Broadfoot stopped by to tell him he and his department were wrong in their investigation in the death of his dachshund named “Killer” and Officer Murrill McLean had been let go.
“I tried to believe in the justice system, you know justice will prevail itself,” explained Harper.
He said Friday it did.
Broadfoot told Harper his employees did not properly investigate the shooting or document the evidence.
A far cry from the last time the Chief spoke about the incident.
We wanted to hear first hand from Officer McLean, but he didn't answer our knock
Chief Broadfoot had no further comment beyond a press release, but inside it said "This entire matter has been an embarrassment to the Danville police department, the City of Danville, and to me personally."
Quinton Poteat and his dog, Fluffy, live across the street from the Harpers.
He says this story has been all anyone has talked about for a month.
“I do think it’s embarrassing. By him being a police officer - he could have done something different than shooting the dog,” Poteat explained.
Even though some find it embarrassing, Harper says what Broadfoot did Friday was respectable.
“The chief of police acted professional, very professional at what he had to do,” Harper said.
However, no amount of courtesy can bring back “Killer”.
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In a reversal from his previous position, Danville police chief Philip Broadfoot fired officer Murrill McLean after he shot and killed a miniature dachshund on June 8th.
Broadfoot explained his reasoning in a two page statement released on the departments website. You can read it here.
McLean said he shot the dog because it charged him and he was afraid it had rabies.
Broadfoot wrote that he found McLean had time to do something besides shoot the dog, and found his reports about the shooting "misleading and factually inaccurate."
Broadfoot also stated McLean's supervisors could face disciplinary action.
Broadfoot was not in his office to answer any follow-up questions.
McLean could not be reached for comment.
The miniature dachshund's owner, Tawaiin Harper, said in a phone interview he held no grudges against McLean but had little else to say about him.
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