HICKORY, N.C. — The Hickory Police Department received notification from District Attorney Jay Gaither's office that after reviewing the police-involved shooting investigative report regarding the death of Drew Marian Spencer from the NC State Bureau of Investigation, there was no evidence of criminal misconduct by HPD Officers Clay Albrecht and John Ray.
The letter stated, "In making our determination we have considered the events and circumstances surrounding Mr. Spencer's detainment, statements by non-law enforcement witnesses, interviews of the officer's present, as well as the surveillance footage of the incident included in the file."
"Any loss of life is a tragedy, and our thoughts go out to the people affected by this incident," said Chief of Police Tom Adkins. "However, in a deadly force incident, officers are trained to protect their own lives and the lives of their colleagues from those who would use deadly force against them. HPD's Administrative Investigation concurs with District Attorney Jay Gaither's Office, our officers acted appropriately, consistent with their training, agency policy and state law."
Albrecht and Ray will return to their normal duties this week.
Read our past coverage: Police: Officer-involved shooting leaves 1 dead in Hickory
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