NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – One of two NOPD officers who responded to the initial police call involving accused cop-killer Travis Boys hours before the shooting of Officer Daryle Holloway has been placed on emergency suspension, authorities announced Monday night.
UPDATE: ‘Frankly, I’m pissed’ NOPD Chief responds to officer’s suspension
In a release, police said Officer Wardell Johnson and Officer Ryan Morgan responded to a report of an aggravated assault in the 2500 block of Peace Court Saturday, June 20. During the course of the initial investigation, they learned that 33-year-old Boys had pointed a .40 caliber weapon at a woman, and fired one shot. The victim was not injured.
During that investigation, officers Johnson and Morgan recovered a .38 caliber weapon belonging to the victim and one spent .40 caliber casing. Then arrested Boys and transported him to the Fifth District.
Hours later, Boys is accused of shooting Officer Holloway who was attempting to transport Boys to Central Lock-Up for booking.
The Public Integrity Bureau (PIB) immediately began an investigation into how Boys was able to shoot Officer Holloway and escape custody. During the course of the investigation, detectives interviewed Officers Johnson and Morgan about their role in the initial arrest of Boys. Based on the PIB interview and review of footage from both officers’ body worn cameras, detectives learned that Officer Johnson deliberately attempted to leave the .40 caliber casing on the scene of the reported aggravated assault and not process it for evidence. In addition, detectives learned that Officer Johnson recovered a box of unused .40 caliber bullets at the scene and did not process it as evidence in the investigation.
During a PIB interview (Monday), Officer Johnson told detectives he did not remember where he left the box of bullets and wasn’t able to confirm why he chose not to report the box of bullets as evidence. Shortly after the interview, detectives observed Johnson removing the box of bullets from his vehicle and throwing them out of the window while driving near Morrison and Downman Road. In a follow-up interview today, Officer Johnson admitted to throwing the box of bullets out of his window.
PIB arrested Wardell Johnson on one count of obstruction of justice, one count of malfeasance in office and one count of theft. All charges are criminal at this time. Additional administrative charges may be forthcoming based on the ongoing investigation.
Johnson is a 12-year veteran of the NOPD, most recently assigned to the Fifth Police District.
At this time, Officer Morgan will not face charges.
The investigation into how Boys obtained a gun and was able to escape custody is ongoing.
“I am extremely disgusted and outraged by the lack of professionalism and integrity shown by this officer based on the evidence we discovered today,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “This is an example of sloppy police work with a clear intent to cover it up, and it will not stand. The PIB Force Investigation Team has spent countless hours collecting and reviewing evidence in this investigation and we will continue to aggressively follow every lead to ensure justice for all victims involved.”