Officer who said ‘we only kill black people’ gets to retire

MARIETTA, Ga. – A Georgia police lieutenant recorded on video saying “we only kill black people” during a traffic stop is being allowed to retire.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Cobb County Public Safety Director Sam Heaton confirmed Friday that Lt. Greg Abbott “did request an immediate retirement and we have approved his request.”

The announcement came a day after police Chief Mike Register told reporters he intended to fire Abbott. Heaton told the newspaper the officer would have been entitled to full retirement benefits even if he was terminated.

Abbott was recorded on dashcam video from a July 2016 traffic stop. A woman can be heard saying she’s scared to move her hands. Abbott, who is white, interrupts her and says, “But you’re not black. Remember, we only kill black people.”