Thursday, April 07, 2011 – Steve Fermier and Associated Press

City officials have approved $75,000 to fund an investigation into the shooting death of a police officer in January.

The Board of Estimates also approved the costs of a funeral held for Officer William H. Torbit, who was fatally shot by fellow officers after responding to a disturbance outside a nightclub.

Tobrbit, who was in plainclothes, was overcome by a group of people and began firing his gun. That led other uniformed officers to apparently mistake Torbit for a suspect and open fire.

An independent board has been appointed to review the shooting and city officials say the $75,000 in funding will cover expenses and help from support staff.

The board includes former police chiefs and a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, and their work is voluntary.