Off Duty Canton Officer Accused Of Pulling Gun In Fight

By: Heather Burke |
Published: January 21, 2010

An off duty Canton Police Officer is accused of pulling his gun on a man during an altercation outside a restaurant. Officer Charles Henderson faces a misdemeanor charge for the threatening behavior.
"It's always disappointing anytime any of our officers is focused on in a negative manner," said Canton Police Chief Vickie McNeill. "That's hurtful to the department, but we'll deal with it. He is a part of our department. We'll look at every side of it and make a decision based on that."
Yazoo City Police say Henderson got into a scuffle with a man at the Rib Eye Steak House in Yazoo City. When the fight heated up they went outside, and Henderson reportedly pulled his gun on the man.
The Canton Police Chief says Henderson has been taken off the streets and is doing desk duty until the case is heard in justice court.
The chief says officers are not allowed to carry their guns off duty.
"This situation came as a surprise to us," said Chief McNeill. "Before we can make a call one way or the other, we first must know the investigative report details."
Chief McNeill says because he faces only a misdemeanor charge and not a felony, even if he is convicted there's a good chance he won't won't lose his job over it.
"I realize that there are gonna be shortcomings here and there because humans are still human beings," said Chief McNeill. "And you can't make them be anything else other than that."
The chief says Henderson has been an officer with the Canton Police Department for about three years.