Tennessee
Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police says Metro officer acted lawfully when stopping THP trooper
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A routine traffic stop in Nashville became a test of authority after a Metro police officer attempted to pull over a vehicle driven by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.
Newly released body camera video shows the Metro officer initiating the stop after clocking a black SUV traveling 85 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. Police records indicate the officer followed the vehicle for several miles before it came to a stop.
When the driver exited the SUV, he identified himself as a state trooper. The exchange that followed quickly escalated with both officers asserting authority and disrupting the circumstances of the stop.
The Metro police officer demanded identification and told the trooper he was not free to leave. The trooper responded that he was “the police” and suggested they were preparing to move on.
The trooper later said he had blue lights activated, indicating they were responding to other business.
The Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police said that flashing blue lights alone do not override a lawful traffic stop.
“He was doing his job,” Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police President Scottie Delashmit said. “The officer was trying to ensure there was no threat to the public.”
The incident drew heightened attention after it was confirmed that Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the stop.
In a statement to News 2, Sexton criticized the Metro police officer’s conduct, describing it as overzealous and unsafe. He said he does not believe the state trooper violated traffic laws.
“Any vehicle traveling above a posted speed limit should have emergency lights and sirens operating under Tennessee state law,” DeLashmit said. “Otherwise, you are to adhere to the same traffic laws anyone else does.”
Delashmit said incidents like this highlight the need for clear communication and de-escalation, particularly when multiple law enforcement agencies are involved.
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“This is an unfortunate situation that could have been avoided if there had been clearer communication and immediate compliance,” he said.
Following the incident, the Metro Nashville Police Department opened an internal investigation after concerns were raised by the House Speaker’s chief of staff. The review examined whether the Metro police officer violated department policy.
According to MNPD records, the traffic stop was lawful, and the officer acted within policy. Allegations of misconduct were either exonerated or found to be unfounded.
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — New TCAP results are giving parents their first look at how students performed across Southeast Tennessee during the 2025-26 school year.
Among the districts in the Chattanooga area, Dayton City Schools posted the highest proficiency rates in English language arts and social studies, while Rhea County led the region in math.
Here’s how districts in the Tennessee portion of the NewsChannel 9 viewing area performed:
Hamilton County:
- English language arts: 40.3%
- Math: 39.9%
- Social studies: 49.7%
Bradley County:
- English language arts: 45.1%
- Math: 43.5%
- Social studies: 46.7%
Marion County:
- English language arts: 37.9%
- Math: 30.6%
- Social studies: 43.3%
Grundy County:
- English language arts: 32.1%
- Math: 30.7%
- Social studies: 39.4%
Sequatchie County:
- English language arts: 34.1%
- Math: 32.0%
- Social studies: 46.4%
Bledsoe County:
- English language arts: 39.8%
- Math: 34.8%
- Social studies: 49.8%
Rhea County:
- English language arts: 44.0%
- Math: 46.1%
- Social studies: 51.4%
Meigs County:
- English language arts: 37.3%
- Math: 32.2%
- Social studies: 41.0%
McMinn County:
- English language arts: 41.1%
- Math: 39.5%
- Social studies: 50.0%
Polk County:
- English language arts: 35.1%
- Math: 27.2%
- Social studies: 43.0%
Cleveland City Schools:
- English language arts: 33.9%
- Math: 31.3%
- Social studies: 36.0%
Dayton City Schools:
- English language arts: 45.7%
- Math: 45.2%
- Social studies: 63.9%
Richard Hardy Memorial School:
- English language arts: 23.6%
- Math: 25.0%
- Social studies: 21.4%
Etowah City Schools:
- English language arts: 34.0%
- Math: 34.0%
- Social studies: 30.6%
Several local districts finished above the statewide proficiency average.
Bradley County, Rhea County and Dayton City exceeded the state average in both English language arts and math.
Rhea County and Dayton City also outperformed the statewide average in social studies, while McMinn County matched the state average in that subject.
Hamilton County school leaders are expected to present a more detailed look at the district’s TCAP results during Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Depend on us to keep you posted.
WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A heavy law enforcement presence was reported Tuesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House.
FOX 17 News has a crew headed to the scene and is working to learn more about the situation.
Law enforcement vehicles line a roadway near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House, Tennessee, as authorities respond to an active incident on Tuesday. Officials had not released details about the investigation at the time the photo was taken. (Photo: FOX 17 News )
A viewer told FOX 17 News a man was barricaded inside a home with other people inside. However, FOX 17 News has not independently confirmed those details.
Once at the scene, FOX 17 News learned that a man who was inside the home during the operation had exited the residence. FOX 17 News is working to obtain more information on the incident that is now subsiding.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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