
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994                    TAG: 9406030712 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D5    EDITION: VIRGINIA 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: 940603                                 LENGTH: NEWPORT NEWS

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR APPOINTED IN INQUIRY INTO OFFICER'S DEATH

{LEAD} A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle any criminal charges that may be filed against police officers stemming from probes into the slaying of an undercover officer.

A Circuit Court order issued Wednesday named Williamsburg Commonwealth's Attorney George Fairbanks IV as the special prosecutor.

{REST} Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney Howard E. Gwynn disqualified himself. ``I just thought it was appropriate because of the fact that a Newport News police officer may be charged with a criminal offense and subsequently be prosecuted for it,'' Gwynn said.

According to Gwynn, the court order authorizes Fairbanks ``to investigate and prosecute any criminal charges'' that arise from investigations into the Jan. 11 slaying of Officer Steven Rutherford.

Rutherford was shot while posing as a pizza delivery driver. Four teenagers subsequently were arrested and charged in the murder.

Investigations of the sting have concluded it was hastily planned.

{KEYWORDS} MURDER SHOOTING by CNB