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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Edited 7 y ago
Just one county over from this unfolding situation here in Middle Tennessee.

I know the region, its people and the problems...plenty of people on both sides with strong opinions.

For my own part, the video says volumes. I get being "tough" on crime...I sure appreciate it when our local LE makes sure the "vampires" aren't crawling up to my property to rob us blind to pay for meth. There's good reasons I drive an hour to work to avoid living in the more "progressive" county of Knox.

What I don't "get" is the reckless, dime-store Wyatt Earp crap that leads to this.

It's stories like this that reduce the essential trust between citizens and their law officers, and probably has led to more than one good cop's death due to hesitation over facing charges.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
7 y
Never spent much time (if any) in White County, TN, LCDR (Join to see). I have spent a good deal of time at Rock Island, which is in Warren County, but immediately adjacent to the White County line.
I've lived in Williamson County since 1991, and I don't think that's the way law enforcement works around here.
1SG Dennis Hicks does provide a perspective that I can appreciate as well though.
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MAJ James Woods
MAJ James Woods
7 y
I don't want to think this story is an indictment of all the people in the county or region of TN but more of an indictment of the personality, character, and morality of this particular sheriff. As it stated, the deputies first response to situation didn't involve lethal force which I think is what the public wants to hear. But you are correct, stories like this will affect the trust between law enforcement and the public.
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CPO Leading Chief Petty Officer (Lcpo)
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I can see all sides on this,

They didn't need to shoot him, they could have and should have done a pit maneuver, except he was towing a trailer and that adds a dangerous dynamic to that maneuver. They could have just kept following him seems he wasn't driving erratically or excessive speeding, he just refused to stop. given enough time he would have given up and realized the failed situation he got him self into.

From the Troopers point of view he is refusing to stop and they don't know if he is armed or not. Ultimately its their call but" hay we get to shoot something so cool."

From the Sheriff's point of view... well I cant fit my head in my ass, but that was some seriously shitting thinking kill someone so you don't have to have a fender repaired.

Serve and PROTECT!!!! Seems people forget that concept and make all the good Cops and Sheriff's look bad.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
LCDR (Join to see)
7 y
The guy has a "rep" in the area. Some folks believe he's keeping the county from being overrun...others feel he's exactly what this example indicates he is. There are unverified stories of his "clan" putting a nix on anyone daring to run against him...and apparently the presiding judge over there suggested forced sterilization in exchange for reduced sentences once. There's probably a reason we "outsourced" our city chief of police here not too long back.
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MAJ James Woods
MAJ James Woods
7 y
Good points. Considering the chase was so long that it crossed county lines that required coordination with that sheriff department, I wonder if setting up a road block with spikes was ever an option considered along with ramming the vehicle off the road.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
LCDR (Join to see)
7 y
According to the information I have, a spike strip was three miles up ahead of the final interception. As with all such cases, you have to have "been there", and have some professional knowledge of procedures/regulations to be accurate...but this is a very rural area; You can drive for miles and miles without encountering heavy traffic, pedestrians, etc. If it were not for the recorded comments and the off-duty deputy going "hot" straight out of the saddle...I might say they did what they had to do for public safety. However, it sure looks like they had other options.
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SSG Tom Pike
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Seriously poor judgment in the way he talks. The Sherriff needs to read Tennnesse vs Garner. I think it will be tough to explain how a driver not going over 50 mph is enough of a threat to justify killing him. I predict he loses in court.
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SSG Edward Tilton
SSG Edward Tilton
7 y
Just what I was saying, he appears to lack even a rudementary knowledge of what he is doing. In many states Sheriff's are elected and not required to be a certified Law Enforcement Officer.
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