A Colorado police officer has been arrested by Commerce City police for falsely reporting that he was shot by a man on Sunday, Nov. 8. Officer Kevin Lord previously reported that a shooting occurred at a traffic stop located in Commerce City.
The Commerce City Police Department announced that Lord was not shot and he was arrested for felony, suspicion of attempt to influence a public official, and false reporting, which is considered a misdemeanor. He was placed in the Adams County Detention Center after he was arrested Friday.
"Tonight at approximately 8:15 p.m., Officer Kevin Lord was arrested for the charges of attempt to influence a public official and false reporting," 17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young said, according to ABC Denver.
The police originally announced that Lord claimed that he was shot in the chest while doing a traffic check. He reported that he was shot while he was standing beside the man's SUV which was parked on a roadside near East 96th Avenue on Peoria Street. The Commerce City Police even released an artist's sketch and offered a $20,000 reward for any details about the shooter.
Day after offering $20k reward, whoever this guy might be has been arrested. #Denver7 at 10p. pic.twitter.com/FxoJlEpz7T
— Marshall Zelinger (@7Marshall) November 14, 2015
"The community can take comfort in that there is no longer a suspected gunman targeting law enforcement officials," Young added, according to CBS Denver.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the false report.
"We are not, at this time, going to be giving you details on that investigation," Young said, according to Sport Act. "As a matter of fact, the case has been sealed."
Commerce City Police Chief Police Troy Smith said that he was disappointed with the incident.
"The Commerce City Police Department holds our officers to the highest standard and expect nothing but unquestionable integrity. It is for that reason that I am disappointed to learn that one of our own officers is accused of violating that trust," Smith said, CBS Denver reported.
Lord posted a bail of $5,000 but could spend six years in jail if convicted.
