Newly released body-worn camera footage shows a tense traffic stop between a Metro Nashville Police Department officer and a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who was transporting Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton as part of an official dignitary protection detail.
The incident occurred on Oct. 6 on eastbound Briley Parkway near the Two Rivers Parkway exit. According to WKRN, an MNPD officer attempted to stop a black SUV traveling at approximately 85 miles per hour in a posted 55-mile-per-hour zone.
The body camera footage from the encounter was released publicly in December.
Video shows the MNPD officer activating emergency lights and following the SUV for several miles. Despite the lights, the vehicle did not immediately pull over.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
At one point during the pursuit, the SUV flashed blue emergency lights back toward the MNPD officer.
The officer then maneuvered alongside the vehicle and verbally attempted to get the driver’s attention.
The driver exited the SUV and identified himself as a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper.
His face was blurred in the released footage due to his assignment providing security for a protected official.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Speaker Sexton remained inside the vehicle throughout the encounter.
The interaction quickly escalated into a heated verbal exchange and brief physical contact between the two officers.
During the encounter, the MNPD officer warned the trooper, saying, “You touch me again, I’m going to lock you up, my friend.”
The trooper repeatedly identified himself as a Highway Patrol officer and displayed his badge.
MORE NEWS: LeBron James’ Agent Reveals Expansive List of Potential Teams Including Heat, Cavs, and 76ers
He also informed the MNPD officer that he was transporting the Tennessee House Speaker as part of an official detail.
“I’ve got the Tennessee House Speaker in the car, and we’re moving,” the trooper said.
“No, you’re not. Let me see your ID,” the MNPD officer replied.
The exchange continued for several minutes as the officers disputed authority and identification.
Eventually, both officers identified themselves by name, and the situation de-escalated after the trooper provided identification. The stop concluded without citations or arrests, and both parties left the scene.
Following the incident, MNPD confirmed that Speaker Sexton’s chief of staff, Kevin Johnson, filed a citizen complaint on the speaker’s behalf.
Johnson was not present during the traffic stop but stated in the complaint that he had been briefed by Sexton afterward, according to documents obtained by WKRN.
The complaint alleged that the MNPD officer acted in an “out of control and unprofessional” manner.
Specific allegations included chest-bumping the trooper, using profanity, and physically positioning himself in a way that prevented the vehicle from leaving the scene.
An internal review was conducted by an MNPD sergeant.
After reviewing the body camera footage and related evidence, the department concluded that the officer’s actions were consistent with department policy.
“The evidence supports that Officer Johnson’s actions were reasonable, measured, and consistent with established MNPD policy, rules, and procedures,” the internal review stated.
The complaint was classified as exonerated.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol released a statement addressing the incident and its relationship with MNPD but declined to answer questions about whether speeding is customary during dignitary protection assignments or whether the trooper involved faced internal discipline.
“The Tennessee Highway Patrol maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department built on mutual respect and shared professionalism,” the statement said.
MORE NEWS: Donald Trump Slams NATO as ‘Ridiculous’ Burden on America Before High Stakes Summit [WATCH]
Sexton’s office also issued a statement criticizing the MNPD officer’s actions, arguing that the traffic stop posed unnecessary risk given the security considerations involved in transporting a high-ranking state official.
“There was no violation of traffic laws by the THP officer pursuant to state law,” the statement said.
The office added that the trooper identified himself and provided documentation multiple times during the encounter.
“In the end, cooler heads prevailed,” the statement continued.
“We commend THP for their professionalism and dedication to protect and serve.”
The Real MOU: What Trump’s Iran Agreement Actually Says – Truth Thursday | EP 677
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
Back the blew!
…as a former DPS Officer from another state…on face value it seems that this incident could have been avoided if the Tennessee Highway Patrol Officer had activated his ‘rear Blue Flashing Strobe-Lites’ while traveling above the posted speed limit indicating he was on an official assignment…the city cop if he was really interested in the what he may have considered excessive speed could have ran a 10-28 on the speeding state vehicle to confirm authorized usage and notified his dispatch to 10-21 (telephone) the state dispatch for additional confirmation…I realize this sounds like a Monday morning quarterbacking assessment, but what happened is actually a common event when transporting political dignitaries from one location to another…surprised this minor episode got so much attention…neither officer should be reprimanded for the incident for doing their duty to ‘Protect and Serve’…both felt compelled to do what they did…let it go and go find some bad guys who really need some time in the Cross-Bar-Hotel (jail)…there are plenty of them, go get’em …good hunting !
Trooper should have gotten at least a speeding ticket. Unless Sexton was late for official business, there is NO excuse for doing 85 in a 55mph zone. Only a cop and a politician could get away with that crap; the rest of us would be immediately arrested and put in jail!
I give 2 craps if complaints were filed or what they were filed about. If the trooper carrying the corrupt pol was speeding (without emergency lights on, mind you), write his ass a ticket. No one is above the law, remember. This trooper – don’t care how well he’s trained – is making the roads I’m on less safe by not following the law. Had it been Joe Q Citizen, you can bet your ass there would have been a ticket written without exception.
Back the blue no matter what!
Cops will treat me differently cuz Im a copsucker.
The worst arguement in the world between two cops both of whom think they are right.
Neither one of them should be a cop.
So tell me, what is the Speaker of the House doing going 85 mph in a 55 zone? He should’ve been arrested on the spot. Endangering the public because he thinks he’s entitled to ignore traffic laws?
Speed limits are for the little people.
Ah, no laws were broken? I’d have thought going thirty miles faster than the speed limit was such an occurance. And it apparently took awhile before the State Trooper finally fully identified himself. Badges are easy to get and are insufficent by themselves. If the greater authority refuses to show it is the greater authority then you can’t expect said authority to be recognised for what it is. I have to throw in with the Cop on this one, the State Trooper could have sped things along by being in less of a hurry and being more cooperative!
If I get caught doing 30mph over the speed limit it is not speeding, it’s reckless driving, end of story.
…it would be nice to be able to ‘join the conversation’ but for whatever reason the person(s) in charge of clearing conversations is totally against any input from a former large city police officer that also latter in his carrier went to the Highway Patrol and would have good knowledge on how to handle such a incident as this, but again that was too difficult for this web-site to comprehend…they must have small brain cells and just don’t get it…time to move on….10-7
The Speaker said “There was no violation of traffic laws by the THP officer pursuant to state law,” the statement said. So, he was going 85 in a 55 zone. That’s reckless driving. Is the speaker saying that TN law allows the speaker’s vehicle to ignore traffic laws like speeding and reckless driving?
…I didn’t realize how many ‘cop haters’ were on this link…tough trash talk from the posters that don’t know shitte-from-shineola…any ‘cop’ worth his/her badge knows more about ‘cop work’ than some stupid azz loud mouths that have posted on this thread…if you think you know so much, then get ur azz down to Human Resources and sign up…am absolutely sure if you can pass all the tests and get into the Academy you will be ‘washed out’ by the second week…if you only knew what Police Officers do on a daily basis to keep your dirty unappreciative azzes safe you wouldn’t be so damn stupid…I guess I hit a nerve or most of you already have been arrested for some misdemeanor(s) and have indeed spent time at ‘The Cross-Bar Hotel’…you elected the ‘dignitaries’ that wrote the laws in your state…also they are influential in making Department Policies…so just blame yourselves because some ‘cop’ did what ‘cops’ do to keep things orderly…nothing to see here folks…time to move along…
Piss off you cop sucker. Remember “No one is above the law”? We are just tired of idiots like you saying we need to support the cops no matter what they do.
No, politicians do NOT have in inherent right to ignore speed limits and traffic laws. They are subject to the same laws that THEY enacted to rule over us. Of course, that’s only in theory. We know they’re special and receive special favors always.
The good ole boys got away with the smuggling …of what?
…ok lets try this one more time…perhaps before posting your hate filled dumbazz posts you might just look up your State Laws…they are probably on line under State Organizational Rules and Laws ( or something like that, States very somewhat regarding access to criminal and civil code information )…ever hear of ‘Criminal and/or Civil Immunity’…In the USA there are many people that have Immunity to certain laws…Foreign Ambassadors…State and Federal Dignitaries are probably two of the most prevalent…also State and National Guardsmen responding to a State or National Emergency…this does not mean that you as a citizen can’t file a ‘Civil Complaint’ against these type of ‘special people’ even while they are in session or other ’emergency work as soldiers under war time laws have a duty to report immediately for deployment…an elected official while under the position is in ‘session’ also has certain ‘immunity’ since their ‘vote’ or input can change the course of history…I realize by the postings here that this information will go through one ear and out the other since there is very little in-between…
…btw…Disclaimer…I’m not an attorney…nor am I affiliated with a State Bar in any state…just an old 80+ year old former City/Highway Patrolman…but I would gladly stand in Uniform with my Brothers in Blue or Tan today or tomorrow or where and whenever to ‘Protect and Serve’ your ‘right’ to be perfect cop hater if you wish and make dumbazz trash-filled talk…’thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day’…
Yeah, thank heavens you are not on duty anymore. With an attitude like yours I’m sure there is a long list of people you abused your authority with.
Arrogant puke hauling an arrogant puke. Sexton and that “trooper” are good examples of what’s wrong with TN. They are above the law.
…btw…I Love My Attitude !…and I also totally enjoyed slamming the the Jail House Door and turning the key on idiots that when they sobered up realized ( not all but some ) what I did hours ago probably saved them their lives or the lives of others not to mention the property damage that drunks cause every day…also I have letter sent to my Commander on how well they appreciated my patience and consideration when I busted them…but this is now and not 50+ years ago0…today’s violator has a ‘entitlement’ and ‘poor me’ demeanor reminiscent to a spoiled underachiever and sad azz character…you ‘tough guys’ should have the good sense to just let it go and stop showing the world what a shallow generation of people we have to contend with in 2026…no wonder the nation is in such influx…the ‘Entitlement Generation’ has arrived….sad, but true !
…looks like the ‘Entitlement Generation’ has arrived…spoiled rotten and dumber than dirt…go ahead and hate cops…next time you are in real serious trouble…call a ‘hippie’…opps, forgot who I was dealing with…text ur Socialist-Antifa buddy and cry on hisher shoulder…you deserve one-another…