THP Moves To Terminate Trooper Terry Rainey

NASHVILLE, Tenn., — Today the Department of Safety served Trooper Terry Rainey with a “minimum due process” letter for termination.  Pursuant to Department of Personnel rules and regulations, Trooper Rainey is entitled to due process.

Colonel Mike Walker recommended to Safety Commissioner David Mitchell that Trooper Rainey be terminated as disciplinary action following an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility into a shooting at his parent’s home on Saturday May 19, 2007 in Chester County.

The investigation revealed Trooper Rainey removed a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol from his private vehicle and fired a shot into the ground in an attempt to get his father’s attention.  A second shot into the ground ricocheted and struck his mother in the ankle area of the leg.

As a result of the shooting incident, Trooper Rainey was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Reckless Endangerment.  A reckless endangerment charge against him was bound over to the Chester County Grand Jury Tuesday while assault charges were dropped.

The recommendation for dismissal is due to eight violations of either Department of Personnel or Department of Safety policy, including gross misconduct and endangering the lives and property of others.

Trooper Rainey remains on administrative leave until a minimum due process hearing is held on Thursday July 12, 2007.  A “minimum due process” memorandum is attached. Pending the hearing, this is all the Department of Safety can release at this time.

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public.  The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses.  The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.