Sheffield Lake hires former Lorain police officer

SHEFFIELD LAKE — A former Lorain police officer now works in Sheffield Lake. Officer Elliott Palmer was hired Tuesday during a City Council meeting on a 5-2 vote with Councilman-at-Large Mark Cizl and Ward 4 Councilman Romolo DeBottis voting against it. On July 2, 2023, Palmer shot and killed a dog running loose near Oberlin Avenue and West Eighth Street in Lorain. An internal investigation by Lorain police found Palmer "reasonably believed" the golden retriever mix was hostile and he faced an imminent attack when it ran toward him. Palmer was not called to the scene, but saw dogs running loose while driving past and stopped. When releasing the internal report, Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann noted Palmer had been bitten by a dog about three months before the incident, and the bite became infected and required surgery. The only violation Palmer had in relation to the incident was he failed to activate his body-worn camera immediately after getting out of his cruiser at the scene. He returned to active duty later that year. Almost a year to the day after shooting the dog, Palmer resigned from the Lorain Police Department effective July 1, according to his resignation letter obtained by The Chronicle-Telegram. Mayor Rocky Radeff said Palmer holds several commendations from his 3½ years with Lorain police, and he was noted for his compassion when working with residents. He urged Council to not let "public opinion on one individual incident" sway their vote against Palmer's appointment to the force. Radeff said during Tuesday's meeting that Palmer was highly qualified and a great candidate for the city. Police Chief Andrew Kory and Officer Roger Watkins echoed the mayor's sentiments. Watkins, who retired from the Lorain Police Department after 25 years, said Palmer was an extremely bright, conscientious young man who never had complaints during Watkins' time with the department, and he wholeheartedly supported hiring him for the position. He was sworn in after Council's approval on Tuesday. Palmer's hire brings the Sheffield Lake police force up to 11 officers. Its authorized strength is 12. He will be paid $31.57 per hour. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.