Bakersfield Cop Accused Of Joking With Corpse Of Man Shot By Officers Leaves Department

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - A Medal of Valor winner has left the Bakersfield police force after allegations that he mishandled and joked around with the corpse of a man shot by officers.

Sgt. Joe Grubbs told media on Tuesday that Aaron Stringer no longer works for the department.

Other details weren't immediately released.

Stringer, a senior officer, was placed on paid administrative leave after allegations regarding 22-year-old Ramiro Villegas, who was killed last November after a car chase.

The department investigated claims that while viewing the body, Stringer touched the man's feet and said "tickle, tickle," moved the corpse's head and laughingly told a trainee that he loved playing with dead bodies.

Stringer holds a 2009 Medal of Valor for saving his partner during a shootout in which both were wounded.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.