Officer suspended for alleged assault on suspect


By Jordan Hall

McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. -- An officer is suspended from the Selmer Police Department after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed there was an alleged incident between the officer and a suspect.
The suspect, Broderick Walker, now has an attorney, DJ Norton, who said in an interview his client posed no threat to the officer before the alleged assault.
"My investigation has revealed there was no threat to him," Norton said.
Norton said Walker was being transported from a hospital in McNairy County to the jail on charges including DUI.
"It's Mr. Walker's statement that Sergeant Pipkins struck him one time while in a patrol car through the cage and when he got Mr. Walker out of the car he struck him in the eye," Norton explained.
Norton said Walker was knocked semi-unconscious and left on the jail floor for some time.
WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reached out to Selmer Police Chief Neal Burks Thursday for comment, but the chief did not take time to go on record about what is being investigated.
Norton said the City of Selmer can do better.
"There are good officers, good ones on that force. They're here to protect and serve, not assault people when they're arrested," Norton said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed they are looking into the incident.
Norton said there is an internal investigation going on at the Selmer Police Dept.
Pipkins has been suspended pending the investigation, but it is unclear if he is on paid or unpaid leave.
Selmer Police officials also said there is video of the incident, which is being used in the investigation.