Evansville Officer Resigned Following Court Case
Anthony Stephenson has resigned from the police department after a jury acquitted him of criminal recklessness charges.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Evansville Police Officer Anthony Stephenson has officially resigned from the force. His departure follows a jury acquittal on criminal recklessness charges and a subsequent appeal regarding his employment status.
Why it matters
Chief Smith had sought the termination of the officer despite the not guilty verdict, citing internal department policy violations. The resignation resolves an employment dispute that had been under administrative review.
A jury found Stephenson not guilty of 2 counts of criminal recklessness in June 2026. The officer subsequently appealed a termination recommendation from the chief in August 2026 before his resignation was documented.
The players
Anthony Stephenson
He is a former officer with the Evansville Police Department who was previously placed on unpaid leave.
Chief Smith
He serves as the head of the Evansville Police Department and recommended the termination of the officer.
Evansville Police Merit Commission
This local governing body oversees employment and disciplinary actions for police personnel in the city.
The details
Stephenson was initially arrested in May 2025 after he allegedly pointed a firearm at a fellow officer while off duty at a Fraternal Order of Police event. Following his arrest, the department placed him on unpaid leave and initiated efforts to remove him from the force.
Timeline
May 2025: Stephenson was arrested on criminal recklessness charges.
June 2026: A jury found Stephenson not guilty of the charges.
August 2026: The officer appealed a recommendation for his termination.
October 12, 2026: The Evansville Police Merit Commission listed the resignation on its meeting agenda.
Legal Context
This case follows the 2026 Evansville Police Merit Commission employment appeal, which serves as a precedent for how the department manages officers after criminal acquittals. The outcome highlights the tension between court-based verdicts and internal department policy enforcement.
The resignation concludes a high-profile disciplinary matter that involved an incident at the local Fraternal Order of Police. Residents can expect the department to move forward with staffing adjustments following this administrative finality.
The takeaway
Employment disputes involving off-duty conduct can remain contested even after a successful defense in criminal court. Officers and the public should note that internal police department policies may hold employees to different standards than those applied by a criminal jury.
Further reading
For more background on local oversight, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 14news.
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