Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headly says officers caught using drugs under his watch “should be given a second chance” after the son of a close friend tested positive for marijuana use.
Sheriff Headly recently pled not guilty to a four count grand jury indictment on illegal prescription drug charges in Williamson county. He was arrested in late January on prescription drug charges in Davidson County accused of obtaining 1,900 painkillers within a four-month period.
Headly, 43, is now under fire for allowing Williamson County Corrections Officer Bryan Ward stay on the job after testing positive for using marijuana. Headly told News 2’s Christine Maddela that “the sheriff has the final say” despite explicit guidelines on illegal drug use by officers.
“Policies are in place, but they’re just guidelines,” he said. “The sheriff has the final say, and it must be done on a case by case basis.”
Officer Ward is the son of Hickman County Sheriff Randal Ward.
“His father is a dear friend, but it plays no role whatsoever,” said Sheriff Headley. “He tried marijuana and given a drug test, came back positive for marijuana. Failing a drug test is not illegal.”
Smoking marijuana, however, is.
Sheriff Headley said, “Smoking marijuana and taking illegal drugs is a crime, yes, but failing a drug test is not a crime. I’m a firm believer that a young person who makes a bad choice should not have their career ruined. They should be given a second chance.”
[Sheriff Defends Officer Who Tested Positive For Marijuana - WKRN - 11-16-07]
I guess the Sheriff feels that if staying on the job amidst illegal drug use allegations is good enough for him, it’s his officers.
What I find the most shocking is that he is still in a position to make these decision’s after being indicted on drug charges.
Don’t the people of Williamson County deserve to have a Sheriff that not only enforces the law but follows it himself?
I can’t believe the people of Williamson County are that dumb. This sheriff needs to be ousted out of office and held accountable for his underhanded deeds. He took an oath to up hold the law, he has broken that and needs to pay. The deputy who failed the drug test should be fired. As they said “If it smells like a skunk, it is a skunk” and they have some rotten smells coming from Williamson County and Hickman County.
I think you people should not be judging others when you don’t know the facts. All you have heard are allegations. What happen to innocent until proven guilty? I bet if it were you or your child or family you would want that to be used! Or maybe not, you would want people to believe you are guilty until proven innocent! Get a life! And I bet if home searches were done in Nashville, Williamson, and Hickman their would be alot of people with drugs in there houses and your probably one of them!!!!