MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A deputy was not on the streets Tuesday night serving Shelby County because he remains suspended without pay pending a DUI investigation.
WREG tried to speak with Deputy Lewis Noblin at his home, but a person inside said he was not there.
Noblin was arrested just before 1 a.m. Sunday on suspicion of DUI.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said he was wearing his uniform and had his department motorcycle.
Germantown dispatch said he was “down” at Poplar and Kirby Parkway.
“I think that’s inexcusable if, indeed, it proves to be true. Then it’s inexcusable,” said Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.
SCSO said Noblin was off the clock at the time of his arrest.
However, due to the ongoing investigation, SCSO refused to tell WREG when Noblin’s shift ended and where he was stationed.
Noblin is the second deputy arrested and charged with DUI in the past two months.
Deputy John Checchia was also put on unpaid leave after police found him asleep in his truck with it still in drive.
The Sheriff’s Office would not go on camera Tuesday but said whether or not an officer gets paid while suspended was ultimately up to the sheriff.
He decided that on a case by case basis.
“When you are in law enforcement, you should not be drinking when you’re in uniform,” said Shelby County resident Rodney Robinson.
WREG submitted a request, asking how many recently suspended deputies have gotten paid while off the clock for investigations.
SCSO has not yet responded with those results.
Robinson told WREG he believes deputies who have not yet been convicted ought to remain on the payroll.