Facebook shows Smithfield officer accused of threat had won award for saving a life
A Halifax man said he feared for his life when confronted by an off-duty Smithfield police captain.
Now, he's filed a criminal summons, accusing Capt. Ryan Sheppard of stalking and communicating threats.
Terence Priester was sitting in his car in a handicapped space at the Park West Village shopping center, waiting for his wife, when he said a man came up and started banging on his window.
Priester said he had a right to be there, and asked him why he was hammering on the glass.
"His reaction was 'F--k off, I'm a police officer," said Priester. "Over a parking spot."
Afraid for his safety, Priester called 911.
At one point, Priester alleges that Sheppard waved around a black object and threatened to shoot him.
"As a Black man in America, I feared for my life, and I didn't want to be harmed by an angry white male. I don't care if he was law enforcement or not," he said.
According to the Smithfield PD's website, Sheppard serves as the administrative commander for the department, and is responsible for "criminal investigations, narcotics investigations, records, evidence, and departmental training."
Sheppard has be awarded for his work. Priester identified him in a video from the police department's Facebook page, where Sheppard is seen receiving a medallion for saving a life.
On Monday, Priester took out a criminal summons on Sheppard, accusing him of "communicating threats" and "stalking."
WRAL News reached out to Sheppard for comment.
In response, he said, “I think my silence right now is pretty clear as to where I’m at with this."
He also said, "I don't have any comment. I don't want to talk with you. Please don't call me again. Have a great day."
Smithfield Police Chief Keith Powell said his department is "reviewing a report of a man with a gun ... that involved Smithfield Police Captain R. Sheppard," noting Sheppard was "off duty" at the time, and is now on administrative leave as the investigation plays out.
"The way this individual behaved off duty, I can only imagine what he like in a uniform," said Priester.
Priester said his case will go to court in Wake County on March 18.
"I don't believe this person is safe to serve Smithfield or any other law enforcement agency in any capacity for that matter," said Priester.
WRAL News is still working to get a recording of the 911 call. It could take up to 10 days to get a copy.
