LOUISVILLE, Ky. ← Louisville Metro Police Officer Cory Evans resigned from the force Tuesday. He was served a pre-termination letter on June 10 after being federally charged with hitting a protester during last summer's protests.
Evan's resignation letter was sent to LMPD Chief Erika Shields and contained only a sentence that read, "Effective immediately I resign from the Louisville Metro Police Department."
Evans was hired as a police recruit with LMPD on September 22, 2014 and was promoted to police officer on March 12, 2015. LMPD provided Spectrum News 1 with copies of commendations and Evans' disciplinary reports. In the seven years he hs been with the force Evans has been praised 12 times and has received 6 letters initiating investigations by LMPD's professional standards unit six times. Evans was also cited three times for being at fault in accidents.
Federal court documents released June 9 state that on May 31, 2020, officer Evans struck a protester in the back of the head with a riot stick while they were "kneeling with hands in the air, surrendering for arrest."
In a statement sent to Spectrum News 1 after Evans received his pre-termination letter, LMPD wrote, "The Chief’s office immediately referred these allegations to federal authorities when they came to light. Internal investigations were stayed in deference of the federal investigations, and Officer Evans was placed on administrative reassignment. The federal investigations resulted in Evans’ indictment yesterday. Officer Cory Evans was served with pre-termination paperwork today. Beyond that, we would refer you to the U.S. Attorney for details. "
In an email sent to Spectrum News 1 on Thursday, June 10, Evans' attorney Brian Butler said he cannot comment at this time. If convicted of the federal charges, Evans faces up to 10 years in prison.