Greeneville Police Department Assistant Chief Stephen Hixson has been charged with simple assault following the conclusion of an investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The investigation began in January following a request from 3rd Judicial District Attorney General Dan Armstrong involving allegations against the 51-year-old Hixson. According to a press release issued today by the TBI, Hixson allegedly assaulted a family member during an argument at a home in the 100 block of Sunnyside Ridge Drive on December 10.
The Greene County Grand Jury returned a presentment against Hixson today, charging him with one count of simple assault. Hixson turned himself in at the Greene County Detention Center and posted $2,000 bond ahead of his initial appearance in General Sessions Court.
Hixson’s defense counsel T. Hunter Shelton issued the following statement “Mr. Hixson has dedicated his career to protecting and serving his community. Mr. Hixson has fully cooperated with authorities and will continue to do so. We look forward to resolving this case quickly, and anticipate Mr. Hixson’s name being cleared of any criminal wrong doing.”
Greeneville Police Chief Tim Ward issued a press release stating the department was made aware earlier today of the indictment and that Hixson remains on leave. He stated that the department has no comment on the matter while awaiting the outcome of the criminal case.
Hixson is a 25-year member of the Greeneville Police Department and was sworn in as assistant chief in February 2022.
