VIDALIA — A Natchez police officer and his son were indicted by a grand jury last week for their alleged involvement in the August murder of a Vidalia man.

Concordia Parish District Attorney Brad Burget said Vince Bates, 43, 961 Moose Lodge Road, Vidalia, was indicted Thursday on a charge of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. Bates is a Natchez Police Department officer.

Bates’ son Vincent Dotson, 20, 423 Clinton St., Vidalia, was indicted the same day on a second-degree murder charge for reportedly shooting Derec “Beedy” Dobbins, 24, Aug. 28 on Morris Lee Lane in Vidalia.

Natchez Police Chief Danny White said Bates is on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the case.

Bates reportedly interfered with law enforcement officers trying to arrest his son just a few hours after the murder.

Vidalia police found Dobbins, 24, lying on Morris Lee Lane after receiving a 911 call shortly after midnight about a shooting.

Dotson and Dobbins were friends, and close friend Tommy Duck said he heard Dobbins was reportedly trying to make peace with Dotson before he was shot.

Area residents gathered a little more than a week after the shooting at a “Save Our Streets” rally in Vidalia, calling for the end of senseless violence plaguing the youth in their community.

Bates was released on a $10,000 bond and faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Dotson is being held at the Concordia Parish Correctional Facility and faces life in prison if convicted.