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Sedlak has said he does not think it is at this point “appropriate” to name the officers, although he indicated the one who wounded Watson in the left leg is male.
Sedlak said the identities will come after the case goes to a grand jury, which will follow a criminal investigation by the Tactical Crime Suppression Unit. The unit, a coalition of eight south suburban cities that includes Miamisburg, responded to the shooting scene.
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“So as soon as the grand jury (completes) the case I’ll be prepared to release the names,” he said. “I’m hoping that will be soon.”
The crime suppression unit is awaiting results from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation before taking the case to prosecutors, who would bring it before a grand jury, said unit spokesman John Davis of the Centerville Police Department.
The unit is “hoping to get it sooner rather than later,” Davis said. “But it’s my understanding that our guys are ready to go once we have that stuff back” from BCI.
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Both officers were placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting. Watson was wounded after Indiana authorities requested Miamisburg’s help in capturing the suspect, wanted in an April 2 armed robbery of Dollar General near Rising Sun, Sedlak said.
An internal investigation indicates “at this point it does not appear” that any Miamisburg police policies or procedures were violated, he said.
Both officers returned to work by April 13 after undergoing psychological evaluations and the one who wounded Watson will remain on restrictive duty until after the grand jury’s decision, Sedlak said.
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“Once that occurs – if it goes well, no problems,” the officer would return to regular duty, Sedlak said.
“At this current time – like I said – they’re still seeing the practitioner,” he said. “So things could change down the road.
“But right now,” he added, “I would say it would be my intent – once the grand jury hears the case and there’s no indictment rendered – that he would return to the street immediately.”
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The officer who fired at Watson wounded him “multiple times” in the leg after the suspect pointed a “fully-loaded” weapon at police, Sedlak has said.
On Wednesday afternoon, Watson remained in the Montgomery County Jail, where he was booked April 7 on a probation violation and is being held on a federal detainer after being arrested by U.S. marshals, according to the jail’s website. Montgomery County court records show no charges against Watson for the Miamisburg incident.
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Watson was charged April 4 with armed robbery and possession of a firearm in connection with the armed robbery two days before in Bright, Ind., according to the Dearborn County, Indiana prosecutor.
Watson has several federal felony convictions and at the time of the shooting had a warrant for his arrest for a federal probation violation, in addition to the April 2 Indiana robbery, Sedlak said.
Watson’s federal convictions stem from aggravated robbery, robbery, attempted carjacking and brandishing a sawed-off shotgun in 2004, and auto theft in 2005, Sedlak said.
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