Inquest to probe shooting death involving sheriff's deputy

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A coroner's inquest will convene next week to examine the circumstances of an officer-involved shooting that left a Harviell, Missouri, man dead last weekend.

Once sworn in and seated, the six jurors will hear testimony at 1 p.m. Wednesday surrounding the fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday morning, said Butler County Coroner Jim Aker. The coroner is not releasing the name of the deceased or the Butler County sheriff's deputy until the inquest.

However, sources close to the Daily American Republic identified the dead man as Frank "Sid" Smody, 59.

The shooting occurred about 12:50 a.m. on the victim's property in the 3700 block of Highway BB southeast of Harviell.

A deputy responded to a call from the man's daughter about a possible trespasser or prowler on the property.

"The first responding officer began investigating the situation and was preparing to do a security sweep of the outdoor areas of the residence," Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said earlier. "Soon, the officer came under fire. As a result, the officer returned fire and fatally (shot) one individual."

Akers said the victim died about 2:30 a.m. Saturday at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, and he was notified of the death about 10 minutes later. He said his office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control began an investigation.

"The investigation is still not complete," Akers said. "My office and the highway patrol are working on that, (which) is why we are not releasing any specifics."

Akers said he is being cautious about the information he's providing "as this is the first officer-involved shooting in years in Butler County, and the process needs to be done correctly for all parties involved."

As part of the investigation, Akers said, witnesses at the scene were questioned and other interviews were conducted.

"The scene has been processed; the autopsy has been completed," Akers said.

The autopsy was performed Tuesday by Dr. Russell Deidiker at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Missouri.

"Dr. Deidiker's findings are consistent with the investigation so far. ... [The man] died of complications from gunshot wounds," Akers said.

Samples were taken for toxicology analysis, and those results typically become available in six to eight weeks, Akers said.

Details about the victim's cause of death will be presented at the inquest, Akers said. The man's manner of death "will be up to the jury" to decide.

The pool of potential jurors will come from the county's list of registered voters, Dobbs said.

The deputy involved remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquest.