MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Shelby County Deputy arrested for driving under the influence last weekend, has been faced a charge similar to DUI before, and has several marks on his personnel file.
Last Sunday, a Germantown Police officer saw deputy Lewis Noblin’s patrol motorcycle on its side, and him leaning against it in uniform.
Noblin, who was off-duty, refused a field blood alcohol content test.
While at a red light, Noblin’s motorcycle fell over and he was observed staggering. Noblin also had slurred speech and his breath smelled of alcohol.
With the sheriff’s office since 1997, Noblin’s personnel file shows several actions taken against him.
In 2005, he received a verbal warning after being found at fault for a crash while he was on-duty. There were no injuries when Noblin rear ended a car.
He received a 10 day suspension for personal conduct after he was cited for boating under the influence. The BUI was issued at Pickwick Lake in 2004. Noblin’s file said that at the time, he denied being drunk and thought he was being targeted because he was a deputy. He refused a BAC and sobriety test.
In 2006, it was noted in his file that he wrote tickets for a deputy. It contributed to the appearance that two deputies were on-duty and were receiving overtime. Noblin was cited for “unsatisfactory performance” and “completing official reports” for the incident.
Still, his performance evaluations consistently said he “met expectations.”
The Sheriff’s Office, who is responsible for investigating the case, refused to give out any details citing the ongoing investigation. However Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chip Washington told WREG the sheriff is “concerned” about the situation, and he is following the investigation closely.
The Sheriff’s Office also responded to a request Friday, which WREG submitted earlier this week. It revealed Noblin was was working on a five-member-detail, escorting people with the Cotten Carnival Saturday night. He got off the clock at 8:30 p.m. He was arrested in uniform hours later.
Noblin is suspended without pay.
