Gibson Co. Deputy Suspended, Charged with Reckless Endangerment
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GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn.- A Gibson County sheriff’s deputy was suspended after an arrest by Milan police officers who said he fired his gun after an argument with his wife on Valentine’s Day. Milan Police charged Ruffus Adrian Sturdivant, 36, with reckless endangerment, Saturday. Officers said the sheriff’s deputy fired a handgun inside of his home of Patten Street after an argument with his wife. Investigators said Sturdivant was home alone when a shot from his .40 caliber pistol went through a back bedroom wall, exiting outside of the home. Police said they could only find fragments of the bullet on the scene. “This particular neighborhood, there are a lot of children the houses are close together so you know it’s really dangerous when a firearm is discharged in a residential neighborhood not knowing what the target or the back stop is…it could go anywhere,” said Cmdr Bobby Sellers of the Milan Police Dept. According to the report, Sturdivant told officers that “he was just mad and didn’t think while he was doing it.” Officers said they then took him to an area hospital for an evaluation after he mentioned thoughts of shooting himself. Officers said it is unclear if the gun was fired on purpose or by accident because Sturdivant gave conflicting statements on the scene. Officers said they charged Sturdivant with reckless endangerment because the weapon was fired inside of the residence. The bullet then exited the house and was fired not knowing where it was going to travel in a residential area that is in close proximity to other houses and other persons or property that could have been affected. “There are a lot of kids that live in this neighborhood they get off the bus and walk through here all the time throughout the day,” said neighbor Camri Donald. ” He shouldn’t of did that. There are innocent people that live around here that have nothing to do with what is going on with you. You need to think about that before you go shooting weapons around.” Officials said Sturdivant has been an outstanding member of the uniformed patrol with Gibson County Sheriff’s Department for more than three years. Family members told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that this entire incident is a big misunderstanding. “At no point did he attempt suicide or anything like that so I don’t know exactly where that came from but, you know, I know my brother. He is a very good person. Like I said he would never try and hurt anyone or put anyone’s life in danger as well as his own,” said Sturdivant’s sister Shereka Phinnessee. “He is a deputy, he’s a person of the law and he knows the law, he’s been a good citizen in good standing…there are two sides to every story.” Gibson County Sheriff Chuck Arnold released this statement: “Unfortunately employees sometimes make bad decisions. I can say this is not characteristic of our officers. I am sure the investigation has been thorough and the facts of the matter will become clear as they are before the court.” Family members said they do not believe the gun was fired on purpose, Sturdivant is now free on $250 bond. According to the sheriff, Sturdivant has been suspended with pay until the investigation is complete.
