Joints in Tennessee Station Trigger Drugs Tests and Suspensions

Posted by: Curt Varone March 22, 2012 2 Comments

Two Murfreesboro, Tennessee firefighters have been suspended following the discovery of two joints in Station 3 on March 11, 2012. Firefighter Terrell Ellis was suspended the day after the discovery of the joints, which coincidentally was the day that he and other firefighters were ordered to undergo drug testing.

Captain Theodore Pertiller is the other firefighter who was suspended.  A “brown substance” was observed in his locker at Station 3 subsequent to the discovery of the joints. He has since been cleared of wrongdoing following tests conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The TBI has not yet launched a criminal investigation. Here is video coverage of the story.[Sorry – gotta click thru to see video]

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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