Officer Who Fled Cold Spring Cop Killing Resigns

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Cold Spring police officer who reportedly failed to get out of his squad car last November when Officer Tom Decker was shot and killed has resigned, city officials say.

Greg Reiter, who was a part-time officer, submitted his resignation to the Cold Spring Police Department two weeks ago, according to Paul Hetland, the city administrator.

Reiter fell under criticism last month when it was learned he didn't get out of his squad car when his fellow officer, 31-year-old Decker, was murdered behind Winners Bar on Nov. 29, 2012. The two had responded to the bar in separate cars on a welfare check.

Reiter told investigators that on the night of the shooting he heard two loud bangs and saw a man standing near Decker's squad car holding a gun. While backing away in his car, Reiter said he saw Decker's body on the ground.

An attorney for the Cold Spring Police Department said Reiter was not under investigation prior to his resignation.

The only person arrested in the case was released a few days later.

Another man, Eric Thomes, committed suicide while officers tried to question him about Decker's death.Investigators say they found the shotgun used in the crime at a property Thomes had access to.

Cold Spring authorities still have not released a definitive account of what they think happened that night.