LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Several Louisville Metro Police officers who fired their weapons in recent months — injuring or killing suspects — are already back on duty, even though internal and external investigations into those shootings are still underway.
In all, seven LMPD officers have returned to the streets just weeks after opening fire.
Louisville Metro Police First Division Officer John Heisler shot and critically injured an armed man in the Russell neighborhood on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of LMPD)
During a recent news conference, LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey confirmed that two of those officers — Officer John Heisler and Officer Nicholas Fischer — are back on full duty following internal reviews.
“Both of those officers have been returned to full duty after the PRB review and some training that we provided,” Humphrey said.
But that decision is raising questions from at least one Louisville Metro Council member, who said the department may be moving too quickly.
“If we are building the most trusted police force, there should be some down time,” Councilmember Shameka Parrish-Wright, D-District 3, said. “I understand there is a shortage, but while we are trying to rebuild trust, we should take all the time needed.”
Fischer’s case draws scrutiny
Officer Nicholas Fischer’s most recent case is one of several now under review.
Louisville Metro Police 5th Division Officer Nicholas Fischer. Image courtesy LMPD.
On Dec. 19, police say two men were shooting at each other off Bardstown Road when Fischer fired his gun during the chaos.
According to investigators, one of those men, Winthrop Taylor, was on a crime spree. Taylor wasn’t hit, but the victim he was chasing was shot in both arms.
After the incident, LMPD said it wasn’t immediately clear whether Fischer’s bullets struck the victim.
“We’re not going to be perfect in gunfights,” the department said during a year-end briefing. “We don’t get to determine that all the time.”
Despite that uncertainty, Fischer returned to active duty on Jan. 29, while the investigation remains open.
Short staffing and public trust
Humphrey ultimately decides whether an officer returns to duty while under investigation.
Some city leaders said that decision may be influenced by LMPD’s ongoing staffing shortage.
“We really cannot afford for any of our officers to be put on leave, whether it’s paid or unpaid,” Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, said. “But it also puts officers at risk, putting them back out on the streets before investigations are complete.”
Every police shooting is investigated internally by LMPD's Professional Standards and Public Integrity units. One looks at potential policy violations, while the other reviews whether there were any law violations.
The Commonwealth's Attorney reviews the investigations and determines whether criminal charges will be filed. Every officer involved in a police shooting is also evaluated by the department's Performance Review Board and a psychologist.
In addition to Heisler and Fischer, officers Hunter Weaver, Patrick Norton, Richard Waller, Michael Crowe and Austin Taylor have all returned to duty while still under investigation.
"Based on the information gathered so far, the officers involved were found to have acted in accordance with their training, therefore, each has returned to full duty," LMPD said in a statement.
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