[TN] Deputy McCool allowed to work while on paid leave for domestic violence gun allegations

...Rutherford County sheriff’s officials confirmed Deputy Joseph Clay McCool was “given permission” to report to court in full uniform despite him being on paid-administrative leave in connection with an off-duty domestic assault incident that occurred outside his Warrior Drive apartment on Sunday... Mr. McCool’s ex-wife accused him of reaching for his gun during an argument at the Green Meadow’s Apartment complex and threatening to “blow (her) (expletive) head off”...

DEPUTY OFF JOB AFTER DOMESTIC ASSAULT COMPLAINT: Ex-Wife Says Joseph McCool Threatened To Shoot Her

WSMV

May 10, 2011

A Rutherford County sheriff's deputy is off the job while police investigate a domestic assault complaint against him. Joseph McCool is on administrative leave with pay. According to Channel 4's news partners at the Daily News Journal, McCool and his ex-wife got into an argument outside his apartment Sunday. The woman said McCool reached for his gun and threatened to shoot her. The deputy told police he only reached for his gun after his ex pushed and punched him. [LINK]

DEPUTY WORKS COURT CASES DESPITE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE: He and ex-wife investigated in connection with weekend domestic incident

The Daily News Journal

Mark Bell

May. 10, 2011

[Excerpts] ...Rutherford County sheriff’s officials confirmed Deputy Joseph Clay McCool was “given permission” to report to court in full uniform despite him being on paid-administrative leave in connection with an off-duty domestic assault incident that occurred outside his Warrior Drive apartment on Sunday. McCool and his ex-wife, Marcy McCool, told a Murfreesboro Police Officer two very different stories of how an argument between them transpired and both refused to take out an arrest warrant on the other following a preliminary investigation of the incident. Neither have been charged in the domestic incident. Mr. McCool’s ex-wife accused him of reaching for his gun during an argument at the Green Meadow’s Apartment complex and threatening to “blow (her) (expletive) head off” in the process. McCool told authorities he only reached for his gun out of “instinct,” and only after his ex both shoved and punched him. Police initially labeled the simple domestic assault situation a “mutual” fault incident and an investigation is pending... “Because he was placed on leave Monday and his cases were set one day later, a supervisor allowed him to go to court and handle his cases of driving on a suspended license, DUI and violation of implied consent,” said RCSO spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni. “Otherwise, the defendants would have been inconvenienced by returning to court at a later date... It is unknown if McCool violated any department policy during the incident. It is known, however, that McCool’s off-duty weapon was properly inspected by a firearms instructor at the sheriff’s office and that he has qualified with the weapon he was carrying Sunday. The sheriff’s office’s Code of Conduct also states a “deputy’s character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves. The officer’s personal behavior must be beyond reproach”... [Full article here]

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