Manatee sheriff's deputy who shot man dead who came at him with knife cleared to return to duty
MANATEE -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputy who shot and killed a man approaching him with a knife has been cleared to return to duty, according to the sheriff's office.
Deputy Richard Young, 45, was cleared Tuesday, said sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow. The fatal shooting took place during a domestic disturbance call on Valentine's Day.
About 4:50 p.m. Feb. 14, Marc Stoddart's wife, Donna, called 911 to report he had been drinking, was armed with a knife and threatening to harm her and himself.
By the time deputies arrived at the home in the 4800 block of Bookelia Circle in Bradenton, Stoddart's wife had escaped the house.
Stoddart was in the front yard holding the knife and had already cut his wrists.
After refusing commands
to drop the knife, Stoddart, 50, threatened Young with the knife, according to the sheriff's office.
Young shot Stoddart when he was within 10 feet of him.
The investigation of the shooting remains under investigation.
According to a family member, Stoddart had a history of depression and suicidal tendencies.
The couple's 11-year-old son was home at the time of the argument, but the sheriff's office has said he did not see the shooting.
Stoddart was a former law enforcement officer who worked for the Fish and Wildlife Commission from August 2007 until he resigned Nov. 24, 2008.
Prior, he worked for the Florida Department of Corrections in Arcadia between February and April 2005.
He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 1987 before being honorably discharged.
Since joining the sheriff's office in 1999, Young has received several service commendations, according to his personnel file.
Young was named the deputy of the month in February 2008 for his response to call of a woman threatening suicide Jan. 14, 2008.
When Young arrived, he found the woman sitting in the bathroom, surrounded by broken glass and holding a piece of it to her wrists and talking about "not wanting to live."
"Disregarding your own safety and not waiting for backup, you entered the bathroom, knocked the glass from the woman's hand, and moved her out of the bathroom away from the danger," Sheriff Brad Steube's letter stated.
Young's personnel file includes many other letter of commendations, including from members of the community.
He was disciplined in 2003 with a letter of reprimand for insubordination or disobedience to orders and suspended without pay in 2004 for neglect of duty.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 11:57 PM with the headline "Manatee sheriff's deputy who shot man dead who came at him with knife cleared to return to duty ."