- Nov 10, 2019
- 46,264
- 29,308
A friend spotted a pistol, tossed out on railroad tracks in a rural area of Madison County TN, while stopping for the tracks. He had his wife retrieve it. It was a little used, late model, mid-price range automatic, loaded with personal defense ammo, 3 shy of a full magazine, counting one in the chamber, that had been pitched out as someone crossed the tracks. They avoided both avoided leaving fingerprints during retrieval, not wanting to spoil possible evidence. There was a young man, not particularly impressive in appearance standing around, less than 50 feet away. My friend's wife held up the weapon, called out, asking if it was his, while my friend had his out of sight, but at the ready. He actually reached down, felt his pants and replied "no, not mine." She brought it back to the truck, for good reason. He called me. Both of us thought it possibly associated with a crime, hopefully just a burglary and should be checked by Law Enforcement. We are both law and order types, carry permit holders and retired military.
He turned it in by contacting and coordinating with a trusted neighbor, member of TN Highway Patrol, who contacted Madison County Sherriff's Department. Sheriff's Department accepted custody of the weapon and thanked my friend for his assistance.
We thought it would be returned if not needed in an investigation. It has been several months. My friend contacted the Madison County Sheriff's Department to inquire if they were through investigating and if so, when would they be returning it? He was told "We don't do that".
That's not right. It was turned in as a favor to law enforcement, not as a gift or for safeguarding, but to possibly aid in investigation as is their function. If there is no claim on this weapon, it was not and is not theirs to keep, sell or dispose of. The last person to have lawful control and possession of this very nice weapon is a 30 plus year Army Combat Veteran, home owner, solid citizen, licensed weapons carrier, certified by State of Tennessee and Department of Homeland Defense.
Two questions: 1. Is this common across law enforcement? 2. Is it right?
He turned it in by contacting and coordinating with a trusted neighbor, member of TN Highway Patrol, who contacted Madison County Sherriff's Department. Sheriff's Department accepted custody of the weapon and thanked my friend for his assistance.
We thought it would be returned if not needed in an investigation. It has been several months. My friend contacted the Madison County Sheriff's Department to inquire if they were through investigating and if so, when would they be returning it? He was told "We don't do that".
That's not right. It was turned in as a favor to law enforcement, not as a gift or for safeguarding, but to possibly aid in investigation as is their function. If there is no claim on this weapon, it was not and is not theirs to keep, sell or dispose of. The last person to have lawful control and possession of this very nice weapon is a 30 plus year Army Combat Veteran, home owner, solid citizen, licensed weapons carrier, certified by State of Tennessee and Department of Homeland Defense.
Two questions: 1. Is this common across law enforcement? 2. Is it right?