But Tuckerton Patrolman Brian Olsen and Patrolman Justin Cherry can't formally rejoin the force until the state Attorney General's office also reviews the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The two were cleared this week following an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, which found their use of deadly force was justified. The local and state reviews are standard procedure when an officer is involved in a fatal shooting.
Prosecutors say the officers shot and killed Steven Theohardes on Sept. 15 when Theohardis came at them with a meat cleaver. Both were then put on administrative duty while the prosecutor's office conducted its review.
