DEKALB, Ill. --

Northern Illinois University has cleared its tough-talking police chief of wrongdoing in the wake of allegations he tried to intimidate an editor of the campus newspaper. It also reinstated Donald Grady as the university's top cop.

The 6-foot-5 Grady won laurels last year for leading his men into a classroom after a gunman opened fire, killing five students.

But administrators put him on paid leave two months ago after accusations he threatened Northern Star editor-in-chief Justin Weaver during an interview. An investigation by a special panel could have led to the 56-year-old's dismissal from his $199,000-a-year job.

NIU announced Friday the investigation "found no evidence of misconduct or inappropriate actions."

Grady's reinstatement is effective immediately.