FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — A detention officer tied to a high-profile case has been rehired, the sheriff's office said.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office confirmed they rehired Lavette Williams. She is one of the five detention officers who lost their jobs after the death of John Neville.
Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said the district attorney spoke with the family before dismissing the charges against Williams.
"Therefore we saw no impediment in rehiring Ms. Williams as a Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Detention Officer in our Secured Records Division," Sheriff Kimbrough shared.
Neville died in custody in December 2019. Officers said Neville fell from his bunk during a medical episode, so staff moved him to an observation cell. An autopsy report revealed Neville died from a brain injury after he was restrained. Body camera footage showed Neville being held down by staff as they tried to remove his handcuffs.
Neville's son filed a lawsuit in September 2021 against the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, five detention officers, and a nurse after his father's death. The lawsuit alleged, “The detention officers and nurse who purported to assist Mr. Neville altogether failed to recognize the seriousness of his condition or to follow the policies set in place for handling inmates or detainees with serious health problems or who are experiencing a medical emergency."
His death forced the sheriff's office to change some of its policies as his death sparked protests in Winston-Salem.
Neville's family received a $3 million settlement after his death.
Charges were also dropped against the nurse at the family's request, according to the Forsyth County district attorney's office.
