A Franklin County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested and charged with domestic violence assault following an alleged incident on the evening of Sept. 12, according to the sheriff's office. Deputy Billy Harris posted a $2,500 bond and was released the following day, and he is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 1.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office publicly disclosed the arrest on its official Facebook page Monday, confirming the timeline of the alleged incident and Harris's subsequent booking, according to WTVF NewsChannel 5. The sheriff's office, headquartered in Winchester and led by Sheriff Tim Fuller, who was first elected to the post in 2006, has not detailed the specific factual allegations contained in the arrest affidavit. It also remains unclear whether Harris has been placed on administrative leave or otherwise removed from duty pending the outcome of the case.
What Tennessee Law Says About the Charge
Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-111, domestic assault involving physical injury or a reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines of up to $2,500, according to Goble Law. Tennessee's domestic violence procedures also include a mandatory 12-hour cooling-off period before bail or release, per Nicholson & Hall, PLLC. That timeline appears consistent with Harris's arrest the evening of Sept. 12 and his release the following day.
Career Stakes Beyond the Courtroom
For a sworn officer, the professional consequences of a domestic assault case can outlast any jail sentence. Tennessee POST Commission regulations address decertification for an officer convicted of a crime involving force or violence, while the commission can grant waivers, according to FindLaw. The potential effect on Harris's law-enforcement certification is not detailed here.
Separately, federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9), known as the Lautenberg Amendment, bars anyone convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor domestic violence crime from possessing firearms or ammunition, a prohibition relevant to a convicted officer's possession of firearms or ammunition, per the U.S. Department of Justice. Together, the state and federal provisions identify potential consequences for a convicted officer, but do not establish that they would end Harris's law-enforcement career.
Part of a Broader Pattern in Tennessee
Harris's arrest is not an isolated case in the state. In March, a Collierville police officer was arrested by Fayette County deputies on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and booked into the Shelby County Jail in Memphis, as Hoodline reported. A West Memphis police officer was also mentioned in the broader context.
The article also discusses domestic violence offenses in Tennessee. Nationally, it also places domestic relationships and reported violent crime incidents in context.
Harris's case now heads toward his Oct. 1 court date, where the specific allegations against him are expected to come into clearer focus.
