Probe finds deputy lied about being shot
BY: The Associated Press

PADUCAH, Ky. - A published report Thursday morning says McCracken Deputy Sheriff Benny Harding has been fired after an investigation concluded that he wasn't telling the truth when he
reported that he was shot in October by an unknown assailant.

The Paducah Sun quotes Sheriff Jon Hayden in a copyrighted story as saying an internal probe revealed that Harding shot himself in the upper arm with a shotgun.

Hayden says there was no second party involved. The sheriff says Harding was not given a chance to
resign.

Hayden would not comment on a motive for the lleged deception, but the newspaper reports sources familiar with the case say Harding may have thought his injury would make him eligible for disability retirement benefits.

They pay more than regular retirement benefits.

The 53-year-old Harding had been a deputy sheriff since 1994 after working for several years as a juvenile officer.