Hamilton County Sheriff's officer suspended - and more Chattanooga area police news

Hamilton County Sheriff's officer suspended

A Hamilton County Sheriff's Office lieutenant has been suspended during an internal investigation into potential excess lunch purchases, sources said.

The sheriff's office said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that Lt. Rick Hamrick has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation. Hamrick oversees the court security division at the Hamilton County/Chattanooga Courts Building.

Though the sheriff's office did not disclose the nature of the investigation, sources confirmed that the focus is Hamrick's potentially repeated overspending when buying lunch for jurors during trials.

Sheriff's office spokesperson Janice Atkinson said no further information about the investigation will be released until it is complete.


photo A fire at Lakedrive Baptist Church at 16221 May Road started when lightning struck the steeple.

Lightning fire damages church

Sale Creek Volunteer Firefighters responded to several reports of a fire Tuesday around 5 p.m. at Lakedrive Baptist Church, located at 16221 May Road, that started when lightning struck the steeple, according to Amy Maxwell, public information officer for Emergency Services at Hamilton County Government.

The volunteer fire department arrived and reported seeing heavy smoke and fire.

The firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the steeple within minutes of their arrival. The Soddy-Daisy Fire Department assisted.

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