Accused chief placed on leave

Jonesville Police Chief David Parker was placed on administrative leave Thursday, the same day a Cherokee County Grand Jury indicted him on a charge of reckless driving in connection with an accident that claimed the life of 8-year-old Peechis Sierra Moore.

According to Jonesville Mayor Reba Vinson, town councilman Steve Thompson will handle the administrative duties of the chief's position, while the three police officers on the force will continue their regular rotation pending the outcome of a trial.

Vinson said she has talked with the 34-year-old chief and said the situation is unfortunate for all involved.

"It's tragic anytime a child is lost, but it's also tragic when you have to live with being the cause of that," Vinson said. "I know it's taken a toll on (Parker) personally."

She said she is hoping the outcome of the trial will give the family closure and allow for everyone to get on with their lives as best they can.

Parker will receive pay for 30 days but remain on leave until the outcome of the trial. Parker has been the chief since May 2006. Prior to that, he served as acting chief for two years.

A former Gaffney Police Officer, Parker, who lives in Gaffney, was driving north on White Plains Road in a Dodge pickup at 1:30 p.m. July 8 when he struck and killed Moore of 102 Massey Drive, Gaffney.

The child was the daughter of Robert Moore and Linda McCarter Moore.

The indictment contends Parker was driving in reckless disregard for the safety of others, causing Moore's death.

The accident occurred near the child's home, approximately eight miles south of Gaffney near the Spartanburg County line.

The Seventh Circuit Solicitor's Office has asked the S.C. Attorney General's Office to prosecute the case because of a potential conflict of interest for prosecutors.