Suspended officer resigns to enjoy retirement on The Murfreesboro Post

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Suspended officer resigns to enjoy retirement

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By: Lisa Marchesoni

Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2009 3:35 pm

A Murfreesboro Police officer suspended 10 days after the city manager found he created doubt and untruthfulness in handling an arrest turned in his badge Wednesday.

Officer Ray Roberts turned in his resignation to Sgt. Allen Cox.

City Manager Rob Lyons suspended Roberts for the way he handled the arrest of Anthony DeFeo, a stranded motorist he arrested for misdemeanor driving without a license, even though Roberts didn’t see him drive. State law specifies most misdemeanor crimes must occur in the officer’s presence. Roberts maintained DeFeo told him he drove the car.

Internal Affairs Capt. Anita Flagg, who investigated, reported Roberts originally told DeFeo he wasn’t going to arrest him.

“Within minutes, Officer Roberts escalated the incident by becoming argumentative, claiming that Mr. DeFeo was endangering the lives of the motoring public by not possessing a driver’s license,” Flagg stated, adding Roberts arrested DeFeo.

After a due process hearing, Lyons imposed the 10-day suspension.

Roberts told The Murfreesboro Post Thursday he spent the 10 days suspension and several days with the flu before resigning.

During that time, he and his wife, Judy, reflected on his job and spent time with his family and retired neighbors.

Roberts, 49, is retired from the U.S. Army after 25 years. After retiring, he worked in law enforcement for 11 years. He served a tour in Iraq with his son, Jason, who was wounded after being hit five times during his second tour.

During his time off, Jason asked him, “Dad, haven’t you done enough for your country?” Roberts said. His wife, Judy, said he served his country in both jobs.

Because of his Army retirement, Roberts said he didn’t have to work. He plans to obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree in counter terrorism, spend time with his two sons and enjoy time with his granddaughters.

He and his wife owned a civil process business where they serve documents on people involved in civil court cases in Middle Tennessee.

Roberts plans on going fishing this weekend and drinking coffee every afternoon with his neighbors, who are retired from the military as well.

“I’m enjoying life,” Roberts said.

Tagged under Murfreesboro Police, Ray Roberts

Member Opinions:

By: EMeeks on 10/15/09
Good for you Ray. You didn't get paid enough to put up with that BS. I just hate they did you so wrong. You were a good cop. I hope you enjoy the new found time with the family!!

By: Trvlace on 10/15/09
Running off the good men...as usual.

By: spook on 10/15/09
Enjoy retirement Ray, you have earned it!

By: blues2 on 10/15/09
Special thanks Ray for all you've done for this country and this city. Wishing you the best in your retirement.

By: enoughisenough on 10/16/09
Thank you for your service Officer Roberts. Both as a military figure and police officer.

By: vdanr on 10/16/09
I do appreciate the service Mr. Roberts has given to this country and to this city. However, the same standards have to be for all police officers, good and bad.

By: Boo on 10/16/09
Thank you, Officer Roberts. Enjoy your retirement with your family to its fullest!

By: diddlede on 10/16/09
I do not know this officer, but I want to wish him the best. Evidentaly another good officer gone.

By: devolver on 10/17/09
He was such a good officer that “Within minutes, Officer Roberts escalated the incident by becoming argumentative, claiming that Mr. DeFeo was endangering the lives of the motoring public by not possessing a driver’s license,” and was subsequently suspended.

By: springs on 10/17/09
What a shame. A good man gone and trash still in positions of power. Wonder why it's not mentioned the case went all the way to a Grand Jury and no DA caught it. Maybe the DA's need to retire also.