According to a Dayton Police Department spokesperson, Liddy, who was already on leave for an unrelated issue, submitted his resignation Thursday just before a planned interview about his post regarding Kwasi Casey.
Casey’s family was also notified Thursday of Liddy’s resignation, the spokesperson said.
Earlier this month, police identified human remains found inside a Dayton garage as 40-year-old Casey. He was first reported as missing July 7 after police received a report of a suspicious person near Hilary Avenue and Eleanor Avenue. During the investigation, officers determined it appeared that Casey had been kidnapped.
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In the post, Liddy said: “Karma finally got Kwasi! When you live the life he did and are a career criminal it comes back to get them. We’ve seen it too many times for many years!”
A screenshot of Liddy’s post went viral and was shared by several community members.
The post angered members of Casey’s family and others in the community, particularly those in the black community, according to Pastor Chad White.
White this week led a public effort at McKinley Church in Dayton that called for Liddy’s firing.
Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl met with members of Casey’s family Monday and apologized to the family members for Liddy’s post, the police spokesperson said.
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Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change Ohio Director Tyrone Martin heard of Liddy’s firing and called it a “win for justice. I am elated that he has resigned his position as an officer.”
Dayton resident Kenya Baker, who has been part of the group protesting Liddy’s post, said people from all walks of life were happy the officer tendered his resignation.
“It is our hope and prayer that he does not resume employment in any areas that are predominantly populated with people of color,” she said. “He has shown through his public statements that he does not understand our historical trauma, daily struggle or societal disposition.”
Dayton resident Mark Dennis said Liddy’s comment “didn’t rise to the level of termination.”
Some people talked about rules involving social media and public servants.
“It seems to me that a police officer wouldn’t comment on a case with a tweet or any kind of social media comment,” Bishop Richard Cox said.
The police department disavowed Liddy’s social media post in an earlier statement, saying it did not reflect department values.
“If someone is kidnapped, it is a priority to find them. If someone has been the victim of a violent crime, it is a priority to find the perpetrators,” the department statement said.
The department’s investigation into Casey’s death has led to “several persons of interest,” a spokesperson said, and two people were arrested on unrelated charges.
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