Autopsy ordered in death of former Smith County deputy

TYLER (AP) - A justice of the peace ordered an autopsy for a former Smith County deputy found dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

The death of 56-year-old Gary Lile comes a week after the deputy was fired from the sheriff's department.

Lile was found dead early Thursday morning at his home north of Lindale. Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace James Cowart says it appeared the gunshot wound to the chest area was self-inflicted.

Lile was one of four Smith County sheriff's employees fired after the completion of an internal investigation into allegations of misuse of county funds and equipment, and using inmates to work on personal property. Investigators turned over the case to the Texas Rangers to see if criminal charges are warranted.

Lile, a former lieutenant, was with the sheriff's department for 12 years. He was police chief in Winnsboro before being hired by Smith County.

The Smith County sheriff remembered Lile as a respected deputy with a good sense of humor.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)