Officer who fatally shot Lewis retires in bad standing

Columbus police officer Ricky Anderson, who fatally shot Donovan Lewis last August, retired from the Columbus Division of Police effective Friday, Columbus police said in a statement.

Anderson has retired in bad standing due to the ongoing criminal and administrative investigations into Lewis’ death, Columbus police said in a statement. Anderson, alongside other officers on the scene, also faces a wrongful death civil lawsuit from Lewis’ family in addition to official investigations.

Anderson was placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting. Rex Elliott, Michael Wright and Ben Cooper, attorneys for the family of Lewis, had previously called for Anderson’s termination from the department.

In a statement, the attorneys said Lewis’ relatives were “outraged” that the city allowed Anderson to retire.

“This family deserves so much better,” the statement said. “Mr. Lewis’ family and our community will not forget about him and the way in which city leaders have so poorly handled this totally unnecessary killing.”

Columbus Division of Police policy states that the police chief determines whether good standing status will be given to an officer who retires or resigns while facing criminal charges or an internal investigation that could lead to termination or a suspension of more than 120 hours, Brian Steel, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 vice president, said on Twitter.

Officers had gone to Lewis’ apartment to attempt to arrest him on outstanding warrants for charges of domestic violence, assault and a felony charge of improper handling of a firearm. Anderson fired a single shot about one second after opening Lewis’ bedroom door, fatally striking him.

Police body camera video shows.

Anderson and a police sergeant approach a closed bedroom door.

Anderson opened the bedroom door as Knox yelled “hands” and pointed his weapon with a flashlight at Lewis, who began to sit up in bed.

Within a second of the door opening and the command, Anderson leaned around into the open door and shot once, striking Lewis in the abdomen, bodycam video shows.