Former Overland Park police officer charged with making online threat

A former Overland Park police officer has been charged with posting a threatening Facebook comment on a Dallas woman’s Facebook page.

Rodney Lee Wilson, 30, was fired after the incident was reported earlier this year.

He is charged in Johnson County District Court with a felony count of criminal threat.

Wilson, who now lives in San Diego, according to jail records, turned himself in to Johnson County authorities on Friday.

He made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon. His next court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 8.

The case stemmed from a post that appeared on the Facebook page of LaNaydra Williams, who said she did not know Wilson.

The post he allegedly made appeared to reference the Black Lives Matter movement, and came after the ambush killing of several Dallas police officers.

Williams said at the time that the comment appeared on her Facebook page in response to pictures of her daughter posted in 2014.

It read: “We’ll see how much her life matters soon. Better be careful leaving your info open where she can be found :) Hold her close tonight it’ll be the last time.”

Wilson’s attorney, Robb Edmonds, said Wilson “deeply regrets his conduct.”

“At the same time these allegations are not consistent with his true character,” Edmonds said. “We are hopeful we can reach a resolution that all parties believe is fair.”

When Overland Park police learned of the post, the department opened an investigation, and later the same day announced that Wilson had been terminated.

Police Chief Francis Donchez Jr. called Williams to apologize to her, she said.

The chief also released a written statement that same day.

“I want to assure our community, and those outside our community, that our highest priority is the safety and welfare of the citizens of Overland Park, and the men and women who protect everyone,” Donchez said.

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Former Overland Park police officer charged with making online threat."