Officer on small town’s police force worked her shift while intoxicated, TN cops say

A now-ex police officer has been indicated on charges she showed up for work intoxicated and responded to calls that way, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

It happened in July, when the 29-year-old woman was a patrol officer with the Jasper Police Department, TBI officials said in an Oct. 10 news release. Jasper, about a 110-mile drive southeast from Nashville, has a police force of nine people, including the chief.

“Agents began investigating allegations of misconduct. ... During the investigation, agents learned that on July 26th, Lillian Michele Lockhart ... reported for duty intoxicated,” investigators said.

“Further investigation revealed that while intoxicated, Lockhart responded to calls for service in her police vehicle.”

Investigators did not report what led to suspicions the officer might be intoxicated, but an investigation was launched three days later, state officials said.

A Marion County Grand Jury returned an indictment Oct. 1, “charging Lockhart with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun while Intoxicated,” officials said.

She turned herself in after the indictment was announced and was booked into the Marion County jail, officials said. Bond was set at $5,000.

Lockhart, who authorities say is no longer with the department, was listed as the town’s only female police officer.

Jasper is a town of about 3,600 people near the Georgia state line.

This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 5:32 AM with the headline "Officer on small town’s police force worked her shift while intoxicated, TN cops say."