Official: Police Chief Who Killed Himself Investigated for Illegal Gun Sales

Official: Police Chief Who Killed Himself Investigated for Illegal Gun Sales
Balloons are attached to the Bay St. Louis Police Department sign on U.S.Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Sept. 9, 2016. The decorations are a tribute to Police Chief Mike De Nardo, who killed himself Thursday, Sept. 8. DeNardo was suspended without pay shortly before his death. Karen Nelson/The Sun Herald via AP
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BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss.—A Mississippi police chief killed himself soon after learning that authorities were investigating allegations he illegally sold city-owned firearms, including an assault rifle, a sheriff’s official said Friday.

Hancock County Chief Deputy Don Bass told The Associated Press that Bay St. Louis police chief Mike DeNardo illegally sold one city-owned assault rifle, and that authorities were looking into allegations that other city-owned weapons were sold as well.

Sheriff Ricky Adam said a “multipoint investigation” had been going on for four months and included payroll fraud, the Sun Herald reported. The police chief left three apology letters — to the sheriff, the mayor and one other unspecified person — for the payroll fraud, Adam said. Those were turned over to the FBI.

These are the latest developments in a case that has shocked many in this small, tourist-friendly beach community.

Bay St. Louis Chief of Police Michael DeNardo listens during a city council meeting in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Oct. 20, 2015. (John Fitzhugh/The Sun Herald via AP)
Bay St. Louis Chief of Police Michael DeNardo listens during a city council meeting in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Oct. 20, 2015. John Fitzhugh/The Sun Herald via AP