Abbeville council accepts settlement, records police officer's resignation

The Abbeville City Council on July 1 voted to accept a settlement that withdraws a prior termination and records the former officer’s departure as a resignation effective retroactively to Oct. 15, 2024. City Attorney Bart told the council the change is part of a compromise resolving pending appeal rights and a workers’ compensation claim.

Bart said, "The answer to that question is no, we're not unfiring her because the termination was never finalized because she's entitled to appeal that decision," explaining that appeals and the workers' compensation process meant the original termination had not become final. Counsel for the former employee, identified in the record as Mr. Good, told the council the settlement resolves all pending litigation between the individual and the city.

Council members debated whether converting a termination to a resignation set a precedent; supporters said the recommendation came from workers' compensation counsel and the city attorney and argued settlement avoids protracted appeals and additional litigation costs. One council member said the case involved a psychological injury sustained in the course of duty and that the settlement may serve the best interests of both the city and the former officer.

The chair called for a roll-call vote. The transcript records several named members voting yes and at least two members voting no; the mayor declared the motion carried and directed staff to record the employment action as a resignation per the settlement.

No additional administrative details were announced at the meeting and the council emphasized that the settlement resolved outstanding appeals and workers' compensation claims.