Bruceton police chief charged with assault following altercation

BRUCETON, Tenn. — One local police chief has found himself on the other side of the law.

Police Chief Richard Crossno of Bruceton was booked into the Carroll County Jail on January 6 but was later released.

Richard Crossno was indicted by a Carroll County grand jury on an assault charge and his bond was set to $1,000.

According to the indictment, Crossno violated TCA code section 39-13-101(a)(1). According to this code, it states “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another.” This charge is considered a class A misdemeanor.

He was charged with this because of an altercation that occurred between him and another resident named John Pardue after a town meeting back in November of 2025.

At the meeting in November, Pardue expressed frustration about continuous harassment and biased enforcement of the law in a dispute with his neighbor, who is an alderwoman for the City of Bruceton.

The altercation between Crossno and Pardue escalated in the parking lot where Pardue says Crossno physically assaulted him.

According to the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Crossno attended basic police school in the beginning of 1999.

He has been involved in law enforcement for almost 30 years. He completed Basic Police School in 1999.

According to Facebook comments from people that know Crossno say that he is an incredible officer. Also, according to his LinkedIn profile, he has been police chief of the Bruceton Police Department for almost five years.

At this time, Carroll County Circuit Court has not set Crossno’s first court date.

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