Jim Young Reporter has confirmed that Crossville Police Lt. Bart Riden has been fired from the police department.
Lt. Bart Riden with the late K9 Cain
during a department event in October 2016
City manager Greg Wood and Crossville Police Department public information officer Brian Eckleson both confirmed that Riden was no longer with the department. Reasons cited for the dismissal included "failure to follow policies and procedures" as well as "conduct unbecoming an officer." Neither man would elaborate further on the reasons for the action.
Lt. Riden was the handler of police dog Cain who was killed in the line of duty August 2, 2017, during a chase with a reportedly stolen truck cab. Suspect Dustin Dixon faces charges in the incident.
Cain's death saw a huge outpouring of sympathy for Riden and the department by the public, officers and other police departments. In April 2018, Lt. Riden was assigned a new dog. City Manager Wood said the dog would be assigned to a new handler.
The public and city officials came out Wednesday night to honor Crossville Police K-9 Cain and his handler Lt. Bart Riden.
There were tears, stories and other recognition of the first police dog the Crossville Police Department lost in the line of duty. Lt. Riden, who had worked with Cain for some time received hugs and handshakes and there was a table full of items the public had created to commemorate the animal's sacrifice.
Crossville Police officer Lt. Bart
Riden was recognized at last night's city council meeting over the
loss of his K-9 partner Cain last week.
Crossville police chief David Beaty
told the council that the community and police departments across the
country were responding with sympathy messages and cards. “It was
a tragic loss to lose that extension of out department,” said
Beaty, and the extension to Lt. Riden's family.”
Lt. Riden was presented with a framed
picture of his K-9 partner Cain.
Crossville Police Lt. Bart Riden, left, was recognized at
the August city council meeting and presented with
a photo of his K-9 partner Cain who was killed in the
line of duty August 2, 2017.
Chief Beaty thanked a list of those who
helped including the Upper Cumberland Veterinary Clinic, UT
Veterinarians, Deputy Fire Chief Chris South, city manager Greg Wood,
Billy Loggins and Mikki's Frame Shop. Beaty also advised the council
of the events this week including the visitation Wednesday evening
August 9 from 5 to 8 PM at the police department headquarters, the
motorcade up Main Street on Thursday August 10 and what he described
as “similar to a graveside service” at the Duer Soccer Complex.
Lt. Riden spoke and said he wanted to
thank everyone for their support. He added the community support has
been amazing, “There's times you get to thinking nobody really
cares about what you do. They've shown here that they really do.”
K-9 Cain's name on Lt. Riden's police cruiser.
Riden told the council he was in the
middle of remodeling his house and he can't go shop because people
constantly want to stop him and give him a hug or shake hands and he
doesn't know who they are. “It's really been amazing and proves
that Crossville is a great place to be,” added Riden.
Chief Beaty summed up the comments
saying that Cain had done what he was trained to do and Lt. Riden or
any other officer wasn't injured in the incident.
Following the discussion, councilman Danny Wyatt made a motion to name the city's dog park in memory of K-9 Cain. Wyatt said no name had yet been chosen for the park. Councilman J. H. Graham seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.
During the Crossville police department's National Night Event last October, there were many displays and numerous demonstrations for the public to see and participate in.
One popular demonstration was some practice featuring the department's K-9 officers. The following photos include CPD Lt. Bart Riden who was the handler and partner of K-9 Cain who was killed in the line of duty this week, K-9 Cain and Sgt. Dustin Lester wearing the dog protection suit.
