“Detective Ron Killings was released from duty at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office here today,” Sheriff Robert Arnold said in a brief press conference.

Killings was rehired by former sheriff Truman Jones in early August after being cleared of wrong doing in a trial this spring and other charges were dropped afterward.

Arnold said Killings was an at-will employee and on probation since his rehiring.

“Under county regulations, an employee on probation may be released at any time with one year of employment,” he said.

Killings has been a controversial figure for the RCSO since he was tried for the hitting and killing 11-year-old girl Lakeisha White with his patrol car while en route to aid another officer July 17, 2007 on Bradyville Pike.

Killings was indicted for reckless homicide of White of Hopkinsville, Ky., filing a false police report and tampering with evidence.

Besides the homicide charge, Killings was accused of concealing a bottle of liquor so the container would not be used as evidence. Also, he was accused of giving a false statement to Murfreesboro Police investigating the crash. But those charges were dropped after he was cleared of wrongdoing in the reckless homicide case.

White’s family was very happy with Arnold’s announcement.

“We’re really happy about this,” said Kim Coleman, White’s aunt. “They need to get rid of all the crooked police officers.”

Rosie Collier, White’s grandmother said Killings’ firing won’t bring her granddaughter back, but it does bring closure to the family.

“He lived up to what he said he was going to do,” Collier said.

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In an unrelated matter, Arnold also announced Lisa Marchesoni, a former Murfreesboro Post news hound, will now serve as the RCSO's Public Information Officer.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.