BRUCETON, Tenn. — Are police officers above the law?
According to former Bruceton resident Robert Williams, they may be. He made the allegation at Bruceton’s meeting of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday evening, April 14.
Williams confronted the board after receiving a $200 ticket for running a stop sign, while the officer who cited him allegedly committed the same violation without consequence.
“I don’t think it’s right for the citizens of this town to sit here and pay tickets and let a cop do what he wants to do because he’s a cop,” Williams told the board.
Williams said Officer Mark Moore admitted to Chief Richard Crossno that he also ran stop signs while looking for someone, but only received a verbal reprimand.
“Tennessee state law says a cop or police cannot break [traffic] laws unless blue lights and sirens are on,” Williams said.
Mayor Robert T. Keeton, III acknowledged the officer was wrong but said Moore had been “reprimanded and counseled not to do that anymore.”
“He was in the performance of his duties,” Keeton said. “The misconduct did not occur in [the chief’s] presence, and he can’t write that ticket.”
Williams disputed that explanation, saying the officer’s lights were not on and that the chief told him he couldn’t give another officer a ticket.
“He can’t police a police officer, just like a police officer cannot write somebody a misdemeanor ticket unless it occurs in their presence,” Mayor Keeton countered.
Alderman Jack Blocker said the officer should have been cited regardless.
“Whether he’s looking for somebody or not, there’s no reason unless he’s got flashing lights,” Blocker said.
Alderman James Butler said he witnessed similar behavior from officers.
“He come by my house, and never stopped. Blew the four-way stop,” Butler said.
Williams said multiple citizens have witnessed officers running stop signs but won’t complain for fear of retaliation.
“Won’t nobody come down here and say nothing because they’ll be targeted,” Williams said.
The confrontation lasted for several minutes before Keeton ended the public comment period, citing time limits.
“I hope you don’t get reelected, and if these board members don’t do nothing, I hope every one of them gets replaced,” Williams said as he left.
Other Business
The board unanimously approved $425 donations to both American Legion Boys State and Girls State programs.
Alderman Renee Ward said her granddaughters attended Girls State and still talk about what they learned.
“It just is eye opening for them,” Ward said.
The board accepted Max Steel’s bid of $3,250 to repair gutters at the fire station damaged by ice this winter. Insurance will cover $2,250 of the cost.
The board also appointed former recorder Annie Hand as interim city recorder after Barbara Borkowski was laid off due to vision loss.
According to the Mayor, Borkowski is on FMLA through October, preventing the town from hiring a permanent replacement until then.
She suffered serious vision ailments shortly after being named as recorder back in November, 2025.
Keeton reported the town is investigating a problem with Well No. 6 and reminded residents that Bruceton in May is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The free event will feature food vendors, live music, a car show, face painting, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and more.
Bruceton’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m.
