Russell Kevin WhiteThe calls and text messages came in bunches, Jennifer Mara White said. It was her husband, as it had been so many times before.
So this time, on Feb. 5, she called East Ridge police. She said she had an order of protection against 41-year-old Russell Kevin White, who had assaulted her in September 2012.
Police came, but they did nothing. Just like in December, the first time Jennifer White told police her husband was violating the order. And just like they did in May, the third time.
She refused to be brushed off. It took complaints to the officers’ supervisors and the East Ridge City Council, but two officers since have been disciplined for their lack of action in this case.
Under terms of the protection order, Russell White couldn’t contact his wife or their 6- and 7-year-old daughters. That meant no face-to-face communication. No emails. And no phone calls or texts. According to Tennessee law, someone who violates such an order is subject to 12 hours in jail and can be also be held in contempt of court. This could mean additional jail time, or a fine, or both.