Smith's friend pulled from NOPD duty amid probe

NEW ORLEANS -- Former New Orleans police captain Billy Ceravolo, a close friend of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, has been removed from service from the NOPD's reserve division while the investigation into Smith's shooting is ongoing.

Ceravolo had dinner with Smith and others shortly before the shooting on April 10, and he was on the scene shortly after Smith was killed. Ceravolo said he was not with Smith at the time of the shooting. NOPD spokesman Tyler Gamble said the decision to remove Ceravolo from service "was made to protect the integrity of the investigation."

Attorney John Fuller, who represents Smith's shooter, Cardell Hayes, has been very vocal in questioning…