BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Massena and Norwood police officers have been fired after making false statements to Potsdam police about a hit and run accident that occurred in the Village of Potsdam on New Year's morning.

Joshua E. Underwood, 23, was involved in a hit-and-run property damage accident on New Year's Day around 3 a.m., according to a Potsdam Police blotter.

Logan S. Chilton, 22, a part-time police officer with the Norwood Village Police Department, was also involved in the incident and charged with falsifying a report to police.

Underwood, who was officially hired May 17, was fired on Jan. 5 during a special meeting of the Massena Village Board of Trustees, according to Village Administrator Monique Chatland.

Norwood Officer in Charge Shawn Wells confirmed with North Country This Week that Chilton was terminated from the department.

According to Potsdam police, officers responded to a hit-and-run property damage accident on Pierrepont Avenue at 3 a.m. on Jan 1.

Police say further investigation of the incident revealed Underwood and two others conspired to provide false information to police regarding who was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Police issued Underwood traffic tickets and an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Potsdam Court.

Chilton was charged with sixth-degree conspiracy and providing a false written statement and issued tickets returnable to Town of Potsdam Court.