A lawyer for the Kentucky sheriff accused of fatally shooting a judge in his chambers announced the law enforcement official’s retirement Monday after the state’s governor threatened to remove him from office. “Rather, Sheriff Stines has made this decision to allow for a successor to continue to protect his beloved constituents while he addresses the legal process ahead of him,” said the lawyer, Jeremy Bartley. Andy Beshear told Stines he had until Friday to resign or face removal proceedings under a state law that allows governors to fire peace officers for neglect. A spokesman for the Kentucky State Police, which is investigating the shooting, has said the shooting occurred after an argument. In a filing, a lawyer for Stines said that he was protected from being sued in connection with the allegations because of his position as an elected official and law enforcement officer.

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Persons: Shawn “ Mickey ” Stines, Kevin Mullins, “ Rather, Stines, ”, Jeremy Bartley, Andy Beshear, Mullins Organizations: Kentucky Gov, Kentucky State Police Locations: Kentucky, Letcher County, Whitesburg