The Hennessey police officer accused of shooting a family’s dog last year pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in the case last month.

Tyler Ryan Baxter, 30, pleaded guilty to a count of acts resulting in gross injury/ outraging public decency during an appearance Jan. 16 at the Kingfisher County Courthouse.

As part of his plea, Baxter voluntarily relin- quished his Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certifi cation, which is required to be a full-time officer in Oklahoma.

He also received a twoyear deferred sentence and a $100 fine and will have unsupervised probation.

The charge, the plea and the sentencing all took place the same day.

Baxter was accused of shooting a Hennessey family’s pet dog after the animal had been found and turned into the police department in September 2024.

According to reports, Baxter admitted to the Whittenburg family - who owned the dog - that he shot the dog.

Baxter was initially placed on administrative leave as an internal investigation began as well as an investigation by the Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office.

Baxter eventually resigned his police officer position on Friday, Sept. 6.