Three black ex-sheriff's deputies file $6 million civil rights lawsuit against Tennessee sheriff

Jet, August 28, 1995

A $6 million civil rights lawsuit has been filed against Davidson County (TN) Sheriff Gayle Ray by three former sheriffs deputies who claim they were unjustly fired because they're Black.

Kenneth Barnes, Riley Walton and L.V. Jackson--the three--say they were wrongfully accused of using excessive force on an unruly inmate and fired without due process, according to the lawsuit.

The three former corrections officers say in their lawsuit that they were unfairly treated because of racial discrimination. Barnes Walton and Jackson claim an inmate made similar accusations in February against four White male corrections officers, but those four were ultimately suspended, rather than fired.

An inmate became unruly the night of April 2 and Barnes, accompanied by Walton and Jackson, entered the cell to calm the inmate down when he became belligerent and fought the three. Other officers were called, including Sherry Gish, a correctional officer also named in the lawsuit filed. All were treated for abrasions.

Gish later reported the officers used excessive force in subduing the inmate, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges numerous departmental procedures weren't followed during the investigation and claims an internal affairs investigation began without the knowledge of Barnes, Walton and Jackson.