Soddy-Daisy police officer Ryan Patterson moved to public works

photo Soddy-Daisy police

Soddy-Daisy police Officer Ryan Patterson is being moved to the city's public works division after an incident last week in which he followed a woman home.

Police Chief Phil Hamrick said Thursday evening that the decision to move Patterson came from City Manager Arnold Stulce, and he could not comment on the move. Stulce could not be reached for comment.

According to previous reports, Patterson followed 31-year-old Melissa Twiner after she allegedly tailgated him around 3:15 a.m. Patterson claimed Twiner then passed him and slammed on her brakes.

Patterson had been drinking at a birthday party earlier and was not in a police vehicle. A field test administered by Hamilton County sheriff's deputies showed Patterson was not above the legal alcohol limit to drive.

A sheriff's office report says Twiner called her husband to warn him that she was being followed. When Patterson followed Twiner into her driveway, Brett Twiner met them with a gun.

Patterson reportedly identified himself as a police officer, and when his female passengers allegedly began fighting with Melissa Twiner, Brett Twiner fired as many as two shots into the air.

Before Patterson left that night, he and Brett Twiner reportedly came to terms over the run-in.

Hamrick said Patterson was suspended for two weeks without pay on the spot when police were called to the Twiner residence.

Thursday, Hamrick said the Twiners asked that Patterson not lose his job over the incident.

"I'm sure that was taken into consideration," he said about city officials' decision.

Staff writer Beth Burger contributed to this story.

Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.

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