D.A. Says Norman Police Officer's Use Of Force Justified

The Cleveland County District Attorney's Office has determined a Norman police officer used appropriate force when she shot a suspect at a gas station.

Officer Glenda Vassar shot suspect Richard Darwin Eaton on May 1 outside the Sinclair station at Main and Hal Muldrow. Police say Eaton hit a female employee at a nearby Wendy's restaurant.

5/2/2013 Related Story: Norman Police Release Name Of Suspect Shot By Officer

Police say when Officer Vassar confronted him, Eaton pulled out a knife and advanced toward her. When Eaton refused to drop the knife, Vassar opened fire.

Eaton was shot but recovered from his injuries. He's now charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The Norman Police Department received a letter from the district attorney's office Thursday, saying Officer Vassar did nothing wrong. Susan Caswell, Director of the Criminal Division, stated in her report, "It is my finding that this use of force by Officer Vassar was justified and appropriate under the law and thus no action by the District Attorney's Office is warranted."

Officer Vassar remains on administrative leave while the police department finalizes its review.

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