A Carter County Deputy who had been placed on unpaid administrative leave will return to work on Monday according to Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford.

Deputy Josh “Hoppy” Hopkins was found not guilty of a charge of second-degree murder in Yadkin County, N.C., following a jury trial. The charge against Hopkins stemmed from an officer-involved shooting on July 8, 2015, while he was a deputy with the Ashe County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office.

Hopkins left his employment with the Ashe County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office in October 2015 and accepted a position as a deputy at the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

In September 2016, Hopkins was indicted by a Grand Jury in North Carolina and turned himself in to authorities there.

Following the announcement of the charges against Hopkins, Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford placed the deputy on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the case against Hopkins.

Earlier this week after the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Lunceford confirmed that Hopkins was still an employee of his department and was still on unpaid administrative leave. He said he would be meeting with Hopkins to determine what the deputy’s intentions were regarding his employment.

On Friday afternoon, Lunceford met with Hopkins at his office. Following that meeting, Lunceford told the Elizabethton Star that Hopkins would be returning to work for his department.

“He will be assigned to some administrative duties starting Monday morning,” Lunceford said.

Before Hopkins can return to patrol, Lunceford said he would need to requalify on his firearm and other equipment to ensure training is up-to-date. Hopkins retained his Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission certification.

Hopkins will slowly transition back into full duty, according to Lunceford.

“It’s been a year-and-a-half ordeal for him,” Lunceford said. “He is in good spirits and looking forward to coming back on Monday.”

During Hopkins’ tenure with the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, he became a regular on the National Geographic Channel’s “Southern Justice” television show which aired from 2014-2016 and followed law enforcement officers in Ashe County, N.C., and Sullivan County, Tenn.