Cumberland County Deputy Wounded and Suspect Killed in Saturday Shooting

A Cumberland County Deputy was wounded and a suspect is deceased following a Saturday night shooting.

On June 27, 2020, at approximately 7:07 p.m., Cumberland County Deputy Tim Tutor was shot while responding to a suspicious person call at the 8000 block area of Chestnut Hill Road. The deputy exchanged gunfire with an unnamed suspect and was wounded in the upper right side and airlifted by Lifestar to U.T. Medical Center. 

Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred in the 8000 block of Chestnut Hill Road, where a deputy of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle after witnessing erratic driving. Reportedly, as the deputy approached the driver’s window, the driver opened the door and immediately shot and injured the deputy, who then fired his service weapon in response as the subject drove from the scene. Later, law enforcement officers discovered the subject deceased in his vehicle approximately a mile away from the location of the traffic stop. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. The deputy, flown from the scene, and has been released from the hospital as of Sunday afternoon. 

The deceased man has been identified as Mark Eberly. Eberly had been arrested previously in Cumberland County.

TBI Agents, assisted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, continue to gather relevant evidence and interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s / Crossville Police S.W.A.T. Team and Crisis Negotiators were deployed to the scene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol closed down Chestnut Hill Road to all thru traffic. CCEMS and Cumberland County Fire was staged near the scene. 

Negotiators made numerous attempts to make contact with the suspect and finally after no success, S.W.A.T. deployed chemical weapons. Upon advancement to the vehicle to take the suspect into custody, the suspect was found to be deceased. 

Information gathered from CCSD and TBI press releases.

Final Decision on Crossville Property Tax Increase Expected at June 29 Meeting

While the City of Crossville budget for the upcoming year still remains in flux, the council has approved two of three required readings listed as “in title only” and a final vote to decide on a possible property tax increase is scheduled for June 29 in a special called meeting.

The Council held their public hearing on the budget/tax rate June 9^th before their regular June meeting and one local businessman Darrin Stryker spoke out against the increase. Stryker pointed out that city taxpayers, and especially business owners have had a very difficult few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also pointed out that the city currently has a $12 million rainy day fund. “If this isn't considered a rainy day, I'd like to know what is,” he commented.

Crossville businessman Darrin Stryker (at podium) 

speaks against the proposed property tax rate increase. 

Listening L to R are J.H. Graham, Mayor James Mayberry

and Art Gernt

Stryker said he represented United Country Real Estate and the Chestnut Hill Winery, both businesses in the city.

Following Stryker's comments, City manager Greg Wood explained that he had cut $5.5 million out of the budget. He added that the reason the tax increase is in there is that a study showed that city employees were paid 61 percent below what they should be paid, and that increase was not funded. Wood explained that originally a 10 cent increase was proposed but that was scaled back to 5 cents.

The council approved the tax rate and budget during the regular meeting agenda. The council will be meeting with a bond consultant later in the month as they consider borrowing some funds for capital improvements and to ease the cash flow giving them some breathing room.

Crossville City Council meeting in person Tuesday to take up 2020-21 Budget and possible property tax increase.

The Crossville City Council holds its regular June meeting Tuesday, June 9 with meeting procedures nearly back to normal.

Crossville City Hall file photo by Jim Young

The meeting will be held at the council chambers. An audit committee meeting will be held at 5 PM with a public hearing on the 2020-21 fiscal year budget and tax rate set for 5:30 and public hearing on a proposed annexation held at 5:50 PM.

Council has passed the first of three required readings to approve a budget and tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1 that includes a 5 cent property tax rate hike. Even with the rate hike, the budget stands at a $79,906 deficit. The total general fund local tax and fee revenue is estimated to be down by just under $1 million. Substantial cuts have been made in parts of the city's budget.

On the council's June agenda is the second reading of the budget and tax rate. A special called meeting later in June is expected to vote final approval of the budget and tax rate before the start of the new fiscal year.

Council has several appointments on the agenda including members of the Industrial Development Board following the resignation of member Butch Smith. Other appointments include members of the Personnel Board, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Health and Education Board.

TBI Agents Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Fentress County

TBI Press Release by Leslie Earhart

At the request of 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances leading to an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday evening in Fentress County.

Preliminary information indicates that just before 7:00, the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a male subject, armed with a knife, a hatchet, and a pipe, was threatening to harm himself and others at a home in the 100 block of Lewis Road in Clarkrange. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the man, identified as Gregory Lee Turnure (DOB 7/23/82), in the roadway and ordered him to drop the weapons. He refused to comply with verbal commands, resulting in one of the deputies deploying a taser, which was not effective. At some point during the confrontation, Turnure reportedly attempted to strike deputies with what appeared to be a pipe. One of the deputies fired shots, striking the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, as TBI Special Agents work to gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence. As in any case, TBI’s investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General throughout the process for his consideration and review.

Crossville Police Department Says "Thanks to Citizens" for support, Looks to Future with "Optimism."

The City of Crossville Police Department would like to take a moment to thank the citizens of Crossville and Cumberland County, TN for their compassion, caring and support over the last few months. Service to such a community is always an honor for us, but with recent events and national challenges, it is extremely humbling to have our community, as a whole, standing with us and in support of our common goals.

Times are more difficult than ever, but we have all come together to see our community through this turmoil. We have no doubt that the citizens of Crossville and Cumberland County truly care about our community and it shows every day.

We have been there for each other before these times of crisis and will, no doubt, be here for each other long after. Our commitment to our city is as it ever was, unwavering. Our determination to keep a peaceful and beautiful community, free from violence and danger, is of the utmost importance for all of us. Together we will make it through, to the other side of this turbulent time and we will excel at anything the future holds.

We look forward to our future with optimism and a true belief that we, as a community, can endure, thrive and triumph through anything.

With all of the support that we have received from so many local people and businesses, we couldn’t possibly name each of you individually.

So, we simply say “Thank You” to our community!