A recently fired police chief caused concern this week after allegedly failing to return thousands of dollars’ worth of city-owned equipment by his deadline. But the case took a surprising turn when the gear mysteriously showed up—at the village clerk’s house.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Hanging Rock Mayor Chris Davidson filed a theft report on July 8, 2025, after former Police Chief Christopher Steed failed to return equipment following his termination.
📦 What Went Missing?
After his dismissal on July 7, Steed was ordered to return all village-owned property by the next morning. By 1:08 p.m. on July 8, the deadline had passed—and the following high-ticket items were still unaccounted for:
- 💻 Alienware Laptop – Valued at $3,000
- 📶 Netgear Wi-Fi Router – Valued at $200
- 📱 iPhone 16 Pro – Valued at $1,600
With more than $4,800 in equipment missing, the mayor made the call to law enforcement.
🔄 But Then… a Delivery
Just an hour later, the mayor contacted deputies again with an unexpected update: All of the missing items had been returned. The tech gear was reportedly dropped off at the village clerk’s residence, and Mayor Davidson confirmed that nothing was damaged or missing.
Though no charges will be filed, the mayor requested that the situation be documented officially, signaling the seriousness of accountability in public service.
📢 Why It Matters
While the case wrapped up without legal action, it underscores how important clear chain-of-custody procedures are when leadership roles change—especially in small-town government where resources are tight and trust is everything.
📝 Final Word
Mayor Davidson says the matter is now closed, but let this serve as a reminder to other public officials: When your badge gets turned in, the laptop and phone should go with it.
Because in small towns like Hanging Rock, missing gear doesn’t stay missing for long—and everyone knows where the clerk lives.
