Town of Bruceton, Police Chief Named in Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

Three days after Bruceton’s Chief of Police, Richard Crossno, was indicted in connection with an alleged assault against resident Jonathan Pardue, he was named as a defendant in a federal civil rights lawsuit alongside the Town of Bruceton.

Attorneys representing Pardue filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee in Jackson on January 8.

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Lawsuit Claims

The complaint alleges that Crossno and the Town violated Pardue’s First Amendment rights to free speech and to petition the government, as well as his Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Town of Bruceton bears municipal liability due to alleged failures in training, supervision, and discipline within its police department.

In addition to the federal claims, the lawsuit includes state-law claims of assault and battery against Crossno individually.

According to the complaint, the incident at the center of both the criminal case and the civil lawsuit stems from a November 11, 2025 meeting of the Bruceton Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

Pardue alleges he was physically assaulted by Crossno after speaking publicly about what he described as “a pattern of harassment and intimidation” and unequal enforcement of town ordinances.

The lawsuit says the confrontation occurred in “open public view on town-owned property outside of City Hall” and in the presence of other officers.

Pardue alleges that after being challenged by Crossno to step outside, he was punched, knocked to the ground, and threatened with a taser, despite having “not committed any crime” and not provoking the encounter.

Additionally, the complaint alleges Crossno’s actions were “intentional and malicious” and “retaliatory in nature,” claiming the assault was motivated “in whole or in part by the public remarks made by the Plaintiff at a public meeting.”

Before the Alleged Assault

In laying out the events leading up to the alleged assault, the lawsuit describes a years-long dispute between Pardue and his neighbor, Bruceton Alderwoman Renee Ford-Ward.

The complaint alleges Pardue became the target of “persistent and repeated threats, intimidation and harassment” beginning in 2022, with Ford-Ward allegedly using her position to threaten fines, accuse him of ordinance violations, and repeatedly trespass onto his property.

Pardue claims he complained to town leadership about the alleged conduct but “obtained no relief.”

The lawsuit cites several examples of what Pardue alleges was selective enforcement, including a misdemeanor summons issued to him in 2025 for keeping poultry within town limits, while the town “openly failed to enforce” the same ordinance against other residents.

According to the complaint, town officials advised Pardue that the violation could be overlooked “if he paid a fee and if [Ford-Ward] agreed.”

Another complaint, alleging improper hauling of scrap metal, is described in the lawsuit as “spurious” after Pardue was found to be in compliance with the ordinance.

The lawsuit also alleges that after police advised Pardue to post “No Trespassing” signs on his property, Ford-Ward removed and discarded the signs. When Pardue requested a criminal warrant, he claims a police officer told him he could not arrest the alderman “because she was an Alderman and he would lose his job.”

Those alleged statements were raised by Pardue during the November 11 public meeting, which the complaint states was livestreamed on the town’s Facebook page. During the meeting, one alderman is quoted in the lawsuit as asking, “What good is the Bruceton Police Department if they will not enforce the law?” while others reportedly commented that it appeared Pardue was being targeted.

In addition to speaking during the public comment period, Pardue presented a petition signed by approximately 125 residents calling for changes to the town’s fence ordinance. The lawsuit alleges Crossno became visibly agitated during the meeting and demanded Pardue identify the officer who had made the comments about not enforcing the law against an alderman.

What is Being Sought

Pardue is seeking a jury trial. He also seeks punitive damages against Crossno, $2 million in compensatory damages, as well as attorney’s fees.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and no response has yet been filed on behalf of Crossno or the Town of Bruceton at the time of this writing.

Carroll County Observer has reached out to Pardue’s attorneys, as well as Bruceton’s Town Attorney, and have not received a reply from either party.

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Town of Bruceton, Police Chief Named in Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit

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