Jail officer may be fired in Hardy flub

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The parole officer who made a mistake in setting free a man police believe shot and killed a police officer may be facing termination.

Parole officer Billie Ruffner has been suspended pending termination with the Department of Corrections. She’s been employed by the DOC for 28 years, but DOC officials say she didn’t make monthly checks on the database system that would have informed her that Thomas Hardy shouldn’t have been released from prison.

Ruffner can appeal the department’s decision, officials say.

Hardy was released from prison after officials say Ruffner didn’t see his felony theft charge in the database system.

Hardy has been formally charged for murder in the death of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer David Moore.