Madison Co. deputy arrested on domestic violence charge

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — A Madison County sheriff’s deputy is off the job after being accused of trying to strangle his wife.

Michael King

“It’s still to be determined who was the primary aggressor,” Madison County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tom Mapes said.

A judge formally charged Michael Garet King on Monday in Jackson City Court with aggravated assault domestic abuse.

Mapes said King is currently suspended with pay. “We get put under the microscope and people may be expecting a lot more from us, but in reality we’re just human,” he said. “We make mistakes like everybody else.”

Jackson police said the alleged assault happened around 12:30 a.m. on April 24 at a house on Springtime Cove. King’s wife told police King pulled her out of bed, climbed on top of her and put his hands around her throat in an attempt to strangle her.

An officer said he saw injuries and redness around the alleged victim’s neck and scratches along the left side of her neck, according to an affidavit.

King’s attorney, Steve King, did not want to talk on camera but did say they deny all charges and are sure he will be exonerated at trial.

Mapes said King has been with the department since 2000 and most recently worked in the warrants division. “We certainly have an image to uphold and we want to be as professional as possible, but we can’t blame the sheriff’s department for things people do off duty,” Mapes said.

King is currently free on a $1,000 bond.

This is the second Madison County deputy to be arrested this month. Kristie Foster, 37, of Medina was arrested April 9 and charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and following too closely, according to booking documents.