Officer Who Killed Terence Crutcher Used Illegal Drugs and Had Restraining Order Against Her

Betty Shelby; Terence Crutcher

On September 16, 2016, Terence Crutcher was shot dead by Tulsa Police Department Officer Betty Shelby.

Shelby was hired by the Tulsa Police Department in 2011 after working for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office from June 2007 to November 2011.

In the 5 years that she’s been on the police force, Shelby had two excessive force complaints.  Authorities say that both were unfounded.

The following information is from Betty Shelby’s application for employment with the Tulsa Sheriff’s Department, which you can read at this link.

When she applied for a position as a deputy sheriff in 2007, Shelby had been married twice before she married Dave Shelby, her current husband, who also works for the Tulsa Police Department and was in the helicopter that captured video of Shelby killing Terence.

Based on her 2007 application for employment, Shelby had not worked since 2002.  Her last job before being hired as a deputy sheriff was as a teacher’s assistant.  She wrote on the application that she quit that job to attend school full-time.

On her application for employment, Shelby answered “yes” to the question, “Ever possessed or used illegal drugs?”

She also answered “yes” to having a protection order filed against her, or pending action.

Some sources are reporting purported letters that Shelby wrote explaining the orders of protection and her drug use, but those letters have not been publicly released.

NBC reports that the 42-year old officer’s work history and past conduct are now under scrutiny as authorities examine if she acted within reason in killing 40-year old Terence Crutcher.