Media

Deputies Face Suspensions For Violating Arrest Policies In Tamera Ford Case

Release Date: May 10, 2004

Two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputies will be suspended three days without pay for violating department policies last month during the arrest of Tamera Ford at her east Memphis home.

In a hearing last week, William E. “Buddy” Smith, 46, and Stephen Holley, 47, were suspended for violating prisoner restraint and transport policies. Officer Smith has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1986. Officer Holley has served the department since 1985.

William E. Smith	Stephen Holley

The deputies were sent to Ms. Tamera Ford’s house on April 16, 2004, after she failed to show up for booking on various charges. Instead of placing handcuffs on Ms. Ford and transporting her to jail in a department squad car, the officers allowed Ms. Ford to ride to jail in her minister’s car without handcuffs.

The two deputies say they will appeal their suspensions.

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