DA for 15th Judicial District To Review Case Against Cookeville Officer

The 15th Judicial District Attorney General will be tasked with deciding if any charges will be filed against a Cookeville Police officer under investigation for theft of property.

13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said he requested the change due to his relationship with Officer Shannon Smith.

“Since I have known Shannon Smith personally for many years, I have asked General Tommy Thompson of the 15^th District to review any investigative results and make any charging decisions,” Dunaway said in a Monday night email.

The Cookeville Police Department placed Smith on paid administrative leave in November after he self-reported the criminal investigation to Police Chief Randy Evans. The alleged crime occurred in another jurisdiction, according to department officials.

A press release said Smith was placed on paid leave after the department confirmed that an investigation was being conducted by the Office of the District Attorney General for the 13th Judicial District.