Ex-Russell sheriff's deputy found dead in Salem

Salem, Al.

A former Russell County sheriff’s deputy convicted of beating a handcuffed man was found dead near his Salem home on the day he was to report to begin a 46-month federal prison sentence.

Kirby Dollar

Lee County sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a self-inflicted gunshot wound discovered the body former Russell County sheriff’s deputy Kirby Dollar, 38, near his Lee Road 201 residence at about 1:39 p.m. Monday, according to Lee County Capt. Van Jackson.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said the Auburn Police Division will investigate the death since his office investigated the 2010 beating of Patrick C. Harrington in Smiths Station by Dollar and fellow former Russell County sheriff’s deputy Tim Watford.

“We felt it would be appropriate to defer the investigation to a third agency,” Sheriff Jay Jones said.

According to court documents, Dollar was to surrender to U.S. Marshals at 2 p.m. Monday to begin his federal prison sentence.

In January, Dollar was sentenced 46 months in prison and more than $5,000 in restitution as part of a plea deal for a reduced sentence and no further charges. Dollar was charged with violating Harrington’s civil rights and abusing his position as a law enforcement officer. The charge carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison and as much as a $250,000 fine.

Watford was sentenced to 34 months in prison and more than $5,000 in restitution after being convicted in September 2011 for his part in the beating.

Harrington was detained by bail bondsmen on Nov. 26, 2010, in Smiths Station for allegedly jumping bond on a drug paraphernalia charge. Harrington says Dollar and Watford beat him as he lay on the ground in handcuffs while former Phenix City investigator Rachel Hauser and the bondsmen watched.

Dollar and Watford were suspended by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office after the beating and resigned soon after.

Dollar was also a co-defendant in a multi-million dollar lawsuit by Harrington against the former deputies, Hauser and the city of Phenix City. Former Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell was dismissed as a defendant in January.

The lawsuit seeks $1 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages from each of the defendants.