Hallsville Reaches Settlement with Three Ex-Police Officers

HALLSVILLE — The city of Hallsville has reached a settlement with three police officers who were hired, then quickly found themselves out of work as a disagreement played out between the town’s mayor and City Council. Jose Sanchez, the Longview attorney representing the officers, said Mayor Jerri Medrano signed the settlement agreements Tuesday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Sanchez commented, “This is great news for both sides because instead of going to the courtroom to get things resolved, everyone can now move on.” The settlement will provide four months’ pay to Lukas Reynolds, who had served as the replacement police chief, Sanchez said. Officers Shane Guthrie and Robert Perkins will receive two months’ pay each. The city also agreed to pay $2,500 in attorney’s fees.

Reached Wednesday, Hallsville City Attorney Joshua Searcy declined to confirm a settlement had been reached. Medrano could not be reached for comment. Early last month, she had suggested a deal would be made within weeks. The settlement package stems from Medrano’s unilateral late December firing, for what she has only defined as policy violations, of Hallsville Police Chief Greg Scott, Sgt. Mack Fuller and officer T.C. Livingston. The move left Hallsville with one officer on duty, but he resigned during his shift after the others were fired.