LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers involved in the investigation that led to Breonna Taylor’s death have officially been fired. Mayor Greg Fischer confirmed their termination during the announcement that Erika Shields would serve as LMPD’s next police chief.

Last week, detectives Joshua Jaynes and Myles Cosgrove received pre-termination letters.

The letter issued to Jaynes said he violated two department standards when he lied on a search warrant used to raid Taylor's apartment. According to Cosgrove's final action letter, dated Monday, Jan. 5, he violated two Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), including Use of Deadly Force and Procedures (WVS).

Cosgrove, according to the final action letter, violated the first SOP when he fired 16 bullets into Taylor's apartment. 

"The shots you fired went in three different directions, indicating you did not verify a threat or have target acquisition," the letter reads. "In other words, the evidence shows that you fired wildly at unidentified subjects or targets located within an apartment."

Cosgrove violated the second SOP when he didn't activate his WVS in recording mode the night of Taylor's death.

The two SOPs Jaynes violated include Preparation for Search Warrant Execution and Truthfulness/Untruthfulness, his pre-termination letter says.

The letter, signed by Interim Chief Yvette Gentry, states Jaynes violated the first standard when he failed to complete a Search Warrant Operations Plan form on or before March 13, 2020.

"Because the operations plan was not completed properly a very dangerous situation was created for all parties involved," the letter reads.

In the letter, Gentry told Jaynes there should have been "better controls, supervision and scrutiny" while preparing the warrant.

Jaynes violated the second standard and lied when he said "affiant verified through a US Postal Inspector that Jamarcus Glover has been receiving packages at 3003 Springfield Drive #4," the letter states.

Last week, Jaynes’ lawyer said he should not be disciplined. Wednesday, the attorneys, Keith Kamenish  and Chad Gardner sent a statement regarding the firing. It reads, "LMPD Chief Yvette Gentry has proceeded with her intention to terminate Detective Josh Jaynes. We are disappointed. Detective Jaynes will appeal his termination to the Police Merit Board for a full hearing and a full presentation of evidence concerning LMPD's 3 month drug trafficking investigation that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor." 

The River City Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement about the firings this afternoon.  The full stateent reads, "The FOP believes that the terminations of Detectives Cosgrove and Jaynes are unjustified. There is certainly no evidence in this case that policies and procedures of the LMPD were violated to the extent that warranted termination.  Interim Chief Gentry not only made the wrong decision, but also sent an ominous message to every sworn officer of the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The FOP will stand strongly and firmly with Detectives Cosgrove and Jaynes throughout the appeal process. After conferring with our members and their attorneys, the FOP will have no further comment at this time."