A Maury County Sheriff's deputy died Saturday as a result of his injuries from a single-vehicle crash along a rural road. Sheriff Bucky Rowland said the deputy lost control of his patrol car, which plummeted down a deep ditch Friday morning.
Captain Jimmy Tennyson served Maury County for about 30 years, most recently as a school resource officer. He was known by his coworkers and those he served as someone who could make anyone laugh.
"He always had a joke," Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland said. "But a lot of the time he couldn't get to the punch line, he'd be laughing at his own joke."
Captain Tennyson crashed along a curve on Iron Bridge Road that has not been protected by guardrails, though old broken-off posts showed some sort of railing or fencing used to protect the curve where Tennyson crashed.
"I can't understand why if you had the sense to put it there before and it was used, why not put it back?" said neighbor James Beuerlein.
Beuerlein heard the crash Friday morning, which happened near the edge of his property. He rushed outside and found Tennyson locked inside his vehicle, unresponsive. He used a crowbar to get the door open before first responders arrived.
He said crashes along Iron Bridge Road have not been uncommon.
"It didn't shock me because I've seen cars there several times before," he said.
Beuerlein has hoped this loss will be the last before action is taken to protect others.
"A police officer died for something stupid. It could have been just the cost of a car, but instead it cost a life," he said. "Instead of some replacement wood and metal. It's just tragic and very unfortunate."
Captain Tennyson's visitation will be held Monday evening from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. His funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Southgate Church of Christ. The public is welcome to attend.
