Roanoke police officers and sheriff’s deputies can no longer use the Dixie Caverns firing range that it has shared with the county for a decade, the county police chief said today.

The announcement was the result of talks that came after a controversial sniper training session at the range which involved putting officers downrange during live fire.

County officials have said that Roanoke Sheriff Octavia Johnson sanctioned the training over their objections. But Johnson has said the training was approved the board of the Regional Firearms Range.

Assistant county administrator John Chambliss notified the city in March of the county’s intention to terminate the agreement.

Roanoke police chief Ray Lavinder said that Tuesday was the city's last day at the range. The county will pay the city about $195,000 to compensate for the city's financial investment at the range.