FRANKLIN — David Leonard Sr., a St. Mary Parish Sheriff's deputy and former chief of the Berwick Police Department, was fired and arrested for allegedly hitting a woman.

Leonard was caught on video striking the woman outside of a business in Bayou Vista while off-duty, SMPSO said. Deputies arrested Leonard on Wednesday and SMPSO fired him upon his arrest. 

He faces a simple battery charge and was released on a summons to appear in court.  

Leonard was the rangemaster at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Shooting Range. He joined the sheriff's office after retiring as the Berwick Police chief last year, SMPSO spokesperson David Spencer said.