Star Staff Reports
Nathan Williamson
Following an alcohol-related crash on New Year’s Eve involving a marked sheriff’s office cruiser and his 6-year-old son, 26-year-old Deputy Nathan Williamson has been fired from Tipton County Sheriff’s Office.
According to authorities, deputies were conducting a traffic stop in the northbound lane of Highway 51 South near Joe Joyner Road on Wednesday when they saw a two car crash occur in the northbound left lane.
After determining that no one was injured, deputies determined that one of the vehicles was a marked Tipton County Sheriff’s Officer cruiser. Further investigation revealed that Williamson had been drinking, and had his unrestrained 6-year-old son in the front seat.
Tennessee Highway Patrol was called to the scene to conduct an independent investigation. Williamson submitted to a blood test.
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services was notified due to the involvement of the child in the crash and will also be conducting an investigation in the case.
Williamson was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence, child endangerment, violation of the child restraint law, failure to exercise due care and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.
He was released from jail on a $2,000 bond after serving a mandatory six hours in jail. He is scheduled to appear in Tipton County General Session Court on Feb. 6 at 9 a.m.
Williamson was employed as a deputy sheriff with the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office since June 2014. He was assigned to the Patrol Division and was still in his probationary period as an employee. He recently graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Donelson, Tennessee.
Tipton County Sheriff Pancho Chumley says he is “disappointed at the total disrespect of safety for the citizens of Tipton County.”
If anyone has information in this case, call the Tennessee Highway Patrol at 543-6273 or the Criminal Investigations Division at 475-3300, Central Dispatch after hours at 475-4300, phone in tips at 901-475-3307, e-mail tips to [email protected] or Facebook Sheriff J.T. Pancho Chumley.
