November 25, 2013
From ElkValleyTimes.com
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials have placed a Tennessee State Trooper assigned to the Lawrenceburg District on discretionary leave with pay pending an investigation by the department’s Inspectional Services Bureau.
The internal investigation stems from a criminal investigation by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) into possible hunting violations.
TWRA agents are investigating an incident on November 19 in which Trooper Barry Qualls allegedly shot and killed a deer on a 46-acre privately owned tract of land located on Highway 64 West in Bedford County.
The department’s internal investigation focuses on whether Qualls violated Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) policies and procedures during this alleged incident. All departmental equipment including weapons, badges and commission card were secured pending the investigation.