Death by Cop  2022-2024

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Kevin Smith 1 of 3

Gender : Male

Age : 50

Race : White

Date : 04/09/2024

Location : Highway 33

City : Sharps Chapel

County : Union

State : Tennessee

Agency : East Tennessee Constable Association

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver and 2 passengers killed in police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Constable John Dennis saw a vehicle in a parking lot that he felt was related to a report of the truck speeding. The constable escalated a chase that ended when the truck crashed and caught on fire, killing 3 people. The questionable justification for the deadly chase was criticized even by the Constable Association. Constables have only 40 hours of training but have full police powers while constables have little to no oversight in comparison.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/union-county-crash-shines-light-on-role-of-constables-in-tennessee/51-54a18d89-df05-4dad-b89e-b575a1065d60