Police officer who killed a man in September back on the job

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer
Staff Writer

An officer who shot and killed a man in Hickory last month is returning to work this week, authorities said.

Officer Melissa Hildebrand, 33, will work her first shift with the Hickory Police Department on Wednesday after being on administrative leave with pay since Sept. 22, said Capt. Clyde Deal.

The State Bureau of Investigation completed its investigation last week, Deal said, and has passed its findings onto the district attorney's office. Deal said he could not reveal the results of the investigation.

Hildebrand shot and killed Garry Wayne McCloud, 51, on Sept. 21 after responding to a domestic violence call at the Ridgeview apartment complex in southeast Hickory, said Maj. Tom Adkins of the Hickory Police Department.

McCloud was within five feet of Hildebrand and ignoring commands to stay back when Hildebrand pulled the trigger, Adkins said. Backup officers were on the way to the apartment when McCloud was shot, he said.

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