Officer Charged in Shooting Returns to Work

A Vermont police officer placed on unpaid leave after pleading not guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment charges has returned to work.

Windsor Police Chief William Sampson tells The Valley News 28-year-old Detective Ryan Palmer will be performing clerical duties.

Palmer was indicted this month on criminal charges alleging that he acted unlawfully when he shot 35-year-old Jorge Burgos, of Quechee, during an undercover drug operation in Windsor.

Court documents say Burgos was shot in November after officers tried to arrest him and another person. Police said their car headed straight toward Palmer, who fired multiple shots, striking Burgos in the arm several times.

Windsor Town Manager Tom Marsh says depriving Palmer of a paycheck during the pending case was "too severe" a punishment.