Campbell County Sheriff Robbie Goins immediately relieved Chad Cordell of his volunteer status with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

Following a bizarre set of events late Wednesday afternoon, Cordell, who told Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Raines he was a deputy with the CCSO, was placed under arrest.  It all began just before 5 pm on November 21 when a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) came across the police radio for a white Ford Crown Victoria.  The car was said to be traveling north on I-75 north in Campbell County near Mile Marker 132.  The call coming in to E-911 described the car allegedly running vehicles off the road while using a red-blue light on the dash of the Ford and passing vehicles on the shoulder.

TOP PHOTO:  Chad Cordell

Raines soon spotted the car and pulled it over above the Caryville Hampton Inn at the intersection of Dogwood Road and Hilltop Circle.  In his report, the trooper detailed  he noticed the driver’s eyes to be watery and bloodshot, and that he smelled an alcoholic odor coming from the driver’s breath as he spoke.  After Raines saw an open vodka bottle in the passenger side floorboard, the driver allegedly told him he drank two beers after work in Alcoa.  The driver, identified as 38-year old Chad Cordell unsatisfactorily performed a field sobriety test according to the trooper’s notes.

As Raines placed Cordell under arrest, Cordell advised him  he was a deputy with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

Raines recovered one empty bottle of a fifth of vodka and one half-empty bottle of a fifth of vodka.  Also found was a light stuffed between the front seats that when activated flashed blue and white.

Cordell was placed under arrest and taken to the county jail.  He was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent law, open container and window tint.  Cordell allegedly refused a breath test.

Sheriff Goins released this statement following the arrest:  “Our agency was notified of the arrest of Chad Cordell for suspicion of driving under the influence. Chad Cordell is an Auxiliary/Volunteer Deputy with our agency. With respect, regarding The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Investigation, I will fully support and cooperate in any way possible. Driving under the influence by anyone is unacceptable. I will not tolerate or defend anyone who makes those choices. Chad Cordell was immediately relieved of his volunteer status at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.”

Cordell was released around 10 pm Wednesday night on a $9,000 bond.  He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, December 6.

Cordell did not return a phone call nor respond to a text from WLAF.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/26/2018-6AM)

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