The Davy V. Blog: Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff's Deputy Frank Phillips Fired After Photos of Him Choking University Student are Posted on Internet

Knox County, Tennessee
Sheriff's Sgt. Frank Phillips

By Davy V.

Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones didn't waste any time in firing one of his deputies, Frank Phillips, a 22-year veteran, after disturbing photos show Phillips choking a University of Tennessee student Saturday night.

The photos, taken by freelance photographer John Messner, show Jarod Dotson, an architecture major, being arrested for public intoxication, by deputies in Fort Sanders, after a college party.

As you can see in the first photos below, Dotson is handcuffed, with his hands behind his back.

Deputy Frank Phillips, who before being fired, was actually a Sgt. with the Knox County Sheriffs, but was working as a deputy Saturday night, then places both his hands around the student's neck, choking him.

Deputy Frank Phillips chokes Jarod Dotson
Photo by John Messner.

A few seconds later, as deputy Phillips still has his hands around the young man's neck, Jarod Dotson loses consciousness, and slumps to the ground.

Witnesses said that after Dotson lost consciousness, deputy Frank Phillips slapped him around a but, before walking way.

"In my 34 years of law enforcement experience, excessive force has never been tolerated.," said Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones, adding "After an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, I believe excessive force was used in this incident."

'Therefore, Officer Phillips' employment with the Knox County Sheriff's Office is terminated immediately.'

Jarod Dotson.

Sheriff "J.J." Jones added that the investigation will now be turned over to the Knox County Attorney General's Office to determine any further action.

Dotson, who was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, was released on a $500 bond.

Those of you who follow my work, and this blog, know how strongly I feel about ALWAYS photographing and/or recording ANY police activity.

Knox County Sheriff
Jimmy "J.J." Jones.

Not only is it your first amendment right, but trust me, it can mean the difference between a police officer being suspended with pay, pending a department's 'investigation', and as in this case, irrefutable proof of police misconduct and excessive force, which I'm sure led to Knox County Sheriff "J.J." Jones, having no choice but to fire a dirty cop.

Of course, I'm sure Sheriff Jones, who is running for re-election, was none to pleased not only with his cop's behavior, but Jones couldn't have been too happy with the fact that his name appears in each of the disturbing photos, emblazoned on the side of the Knox County Sheriff's van.

I'm sure that's not the sort of billboard-like advertisement Sheriff "J.J." Jones didn't want.

Definitely not as a background to police brutality.

Remember folks... ALWAYS RECORD! ALWAYS.