SOPHIA, W.Va. -- A Sophia police officer accused of leaving a restaurant without paying his bill has been fired.

Police Chief Tomi Peck tells The Register-Herald that she suspended Damon McDowell with pay after the Beckley Police Department told her he was under investigation.

Peck says she fired McDowell after he failed to show up for a meeting with her on Saturday.

Beckley Police Chief Tim Deems says McDowell has been charged with defrauding an innkeeper.