Allegheny Co. Sheriff's Deputy Had Cocaine In System During Shootout

PITTSBURGH, PA — An Allegheny County sheriff's deputy tested positive for cocaine hours after a protracted standoff and shootout last month between law enforcement agencies and a man in a home in Garfield.

The deputy has been fired, county Sheriff Kevin Kraus said at a news conference Tuesday to discuss the shooting. The deputy's name has not been released.

The hours-long standoff that resulted in the suspect being shot and killed. The deputy's name has not yet been released.

Per policy, the 13 deputies who participated in the hours-long exchange of gunfire were drug tested the same day. Drug testing is mandatory if a deputy discharges his weapon or uses deadly force.

The terminated deputy had been with the sheriff's office for seven years.

An attempted eviction on Aug. 23 turned into a prolonged shootout between the evictee and police and prompted the tense evacuation of people in a block of the city's Garfield section.

Thousands of shots were fired. Police on the scene were forced to request additional ammunition.

After six hours, the suspect, William Hardison Sr., was found dead inside the home.