NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A Davidson County sheriff's deputy is on routine administrative leave after a physical altercation in a Metro courtroom involving the deputy's gun.

The incident happened Friday afternoon in the General Sessions courtroom of Judge Casey Moreland

According to sources, the judge was unhappy about a prisoner's release schedule and summoned for sheriff's department supervisor Corley Pearson.

Witnesses in the court say the judge and the director of the armed services division had words.

Sources confirm that court officers asked the sheriff's deputy to surrender his weapon while the judge contemplated contempt of court charges.

Sources say Deputy Pearson didn't comply in a timely manner, prompting court officers to approach and put their hands on him.

Pearson had already pulled his weapon.

Sheriff's officials say at no time was there a threat or act of aggression and called the incident a miscommunication.  They say the deputy's gun was out because the deputy was complying with the court order.

However, sources close to the investigation say the moment was so volatile a Metro police officer seated in court pulled her service weapon.

The deputy's gun was secured and no charges have been filed.

The district's attorney's office says it is not investigating since no charges have been filed.

A Metro police spokesperson said the department is not investigating the incident.

Judge Moreland has declined to comment on the incident.

Quoted:
wow.....what was that deputy thinking? when the judge, in his court, says jump, you better say how high, this goes for deputies and lawyers not just people on trial.

Quoted:
Policy will normally dictate that the Deputy does not surrender the weapon - However - policy should have this issue covered. Very common for some Judges to not allow weapons to be worn by anyone but their Bailiff.

This situation, was of course, very unusual.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Knox County Schools security officer has been reprimanded for brandishing a gun at a fellow officer while at Bearden High School.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/UbvtOR ) reported Monday that the incident occurred the week of Nov. 12. Security Officer Joseph T. Odom received a written reprimand after he was accused of pointing his gun at fellow Security Officer James Schronce.

Odom did not comment to the newspaper when reached by phone, and Schronce said he was instructed not to talk about the incident. The reprimand does not say if any students were present or nearby when the incident occurred. Odom has been transferred to another school.

Schools spokeswoman Melissa Ogden said Odom was counseled and received additional training.


Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com

Quoted:
Policy will normally dictate that the Deputy does not surrender the weapon - However - policy should have this issue covered. Very common for some Judges to not allow weapons to be worn by anyone but their Bailiff.

This situation, was of course, very unusual.

Quoted:

Not in my area. If the badge is on so is the gun, never had a single issue. it is good for the sheriffs, judges, and DA, to have a mutual respect for each other and their people because they are can't do their job with out the other. I couldn't imagine a judge in my county asking a deputy to Disarm in this situation.

Sources confirm that court officers asked the sheriff's deputy to surrender his weapon while the judge contemplated contempt of court charges.