A court trial has been scheduled for Thursday, April 19, in Dunklin County before Circuit Judge Robert Mayer, in the firing of Hornersville Police Chief Larry Jarred. Jarred’s attorney Daniel Thomas Moore, filed a notice for trial on February 6th.
The city of Hornersville will be represented by city attorney James Keen. Jarred promised not only to appeal the decision of the Hornersville city council in ousting him from office last year but to file federal lawsuits against the individual council members who voted to remove him from office along with the city attorney, the Hornersville Mayor and the city of Hornersville.
Jarred was served with impeachment papers late last year that culminated in his removal from office at a hearing Monday, November 20. Jarred was removed on grounds that he did not live in Hornersville and was not putting in the hours his job required.
During the proceedings, Jarred’s attorney asked Mayor Cathy Ward if she had the authority to suspend a duly elected officer of the city, she replied she didn’t know. Jarred was suspended in August without pay but came back in November to work, which brought about the impeachment proceedings.
According to testimony, most of the complaints against Jarred came from one individual. The vote to remove Jarred from office was three to one. The Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office has been assisting the city with law enforcement calls until a new election can be held.