Man commits suicide
By Staff Reports
Published in News on February 22, 2009 2:00 AM
PIKEVILLE -- Police here are investigating the Friday afternoon death of Harold Lee Person.
Police were called to a Church Street address about 3:30 p.m. where they found Person dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The medical examiner was called to the scene and the investigation is continuing.
Wayne Sheriff's deputies assisted with the investigation, Capt. Tom Effler said. "My crime scene guys went," he said.
Person was the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Sheriff's Office and State Bureau of Investigation concerning improper conduct by a teacher.
No charges had been filed.
Effler said the investigation had been winding down and that there had been a scheduled interview with Person.
According to the school system's latest personnel report, released Feb. 9, Person resigned from Charles B. Aycock High School effective Dec. 29, 2008, citing "personal reasons."
Ken Derksen, public information officer with Wayne County Public Schools, confirmed that Person was no longer an employee.
"It's a personnel issue," he said. "We really can't speak to his resignation. But our thoughts and prayers do go out to his family."
As to how the matter will be handled when students return to school on Monday, Derksen said, "I am sure that counselors as well as the principal will be advised to be ready to handle any student needs."