By Rupert Howell

A Panola County deputy sheriff has been suspended with pay while an investigation continues concerning an incident with an employee at Zaxby’s and the deputy on Wednesday, March 10, Panola County Sheriff Otis Griffin confirmed.

Griffin said yesterday that Chief Deputy Andy Estridge was in charge of the investigation.

The matter is currently being handled as an internal affairs investigation by Panola County Sheriff’s office, Assistant Batesville Police Chief Don Province said Thursday.

He said he was not aware of any charges being filed and that his department was not involved in an investigation. Zaxby’s is located within Batesville City limits.

Griffin said results of an internal investigation may be known as early as today.

Several local officials have viewed video footage of the incident taken with security cameras at Zaxby’s.

Griffin indicated that his department was meeting with Zaxby’s management Thursday concerning the investigation.