Wednesday, January 21, 2026

TWO FORMER COPS GET $830,000 FROM THEIR FORMER DEPARTMENT

By Bob Walsh

 


Former Soddy-Daisy Officers File Lawsuit Alleging Wrongful Termination

 
Two officers of the Shoddy-Daisy (Tenn) Police Department are getting a settlement of $830,000 from their former employer for wrongful termination.

Former Lt. Jake Elrod and former Captain Eric Jenkins sued the city, Burt Johnson the city manager, Police Chief Billy Petty and the former police chief Mike Sneed back in August of 2024.  They allege they were fired for speaking out about the misbehavior of another officer.  They originally asked for $1 million each.

They both testified in court about the alleged untrustworthiness of another officer.  They also assert that that officer's sexual fantasies involving children were not properly investigated.  The former chief asserted that the two men acted in concert to get the other officer fired with false testimony and to gain more power within the department.

The settlement will be covered almost entirely by insurance.  Neither side is admitting fault.  The city has agreed to supply neutral references to future potential employers.  Both men agreed to not apply for any future job with the city without permission to do so from the city.

The ball started rolling on this mess after an unnamed female officer complained that a Sergeant with that department was producing kiddie porn.  The Hamilton County S. O. determined that the complaint was not founded and not credible.  

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