Danville orders independent review after October police-involved Walmart encounter; city limits comment during legal process

Danville Mayor J. H. Adkins said the City Commission and staff are asking for an independent external review alongside an internal police review into a police-involved incident at the Danville Walmart in October 2024, and reiterated that the city cannot comment further while legal matters continue.

The mayor said the two reviews are intended to provide fuller context than short video snippets and that "we, the commission and the staff, hear your concerns." He added that the city’s "number one goal is always ... to ensure a safe environment for all of our citizens."

Nut graf: The city announced the external review during its Jan. 27 meeting amid public concern following video circulation online. The dual reviews—an internal review led by Danville Police senior staff and an independent external review—are intended to clarify facts while the city refrains from making public judgments because of pending legal issues.

Chief Gray, Danville’s police chief, told the commission he supports the internal and external reviews and said the department will "work to preserve and enhance the community's trust placed in the Danville Police Department." He added, "Our regular training and certifications reinforce the appropriate tools and tactics to protect our citizens. We recognize we serve with the consent of our citizenry. We are committed to professional interactions with all."

During the meeting’s public-comment period, a member of the public identified as Michael Mange urged the city to take action against a named officer. "Please fire him now," Mange said, referring by name to an officer widely discussed in community posts. The speaker also said the person involved in the Walmart incident "ended up in the hospital;" that claim is attributed to the commenter and not to city staff or police during the meeting.

Mayor Adkins told attendees the city is "thankful that in this case, everyone made it home safely," naming the public at large, Walmart employees, the officers involved and "most importantly, Mr. Hardwick." The mayor also stressed that additional legal issues cannot be addressed in the forum and asked for public patience while the reviews and any legal proceedings move forward.

Ending: City officials said they will share information as permitted by law and the investigative process. The commission did not take a formal vote on the matter at the Jan. 27 meeting; Chief Gray and mayoral remarks were the principal official statements recorded.