GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville firefighter was arrested Monday morning after a confrontation with a Gallatin police officer during a traffic stop that quickly escalated.
Just before 8 a.m. on September 29, a Gallatin Police Department officer observed a pickup truck driving in the wrong lane of traffic while turning onto another road. According to Capt. Lamar Ballard, the driver — identified as 30-year-old Deanton D. Gipson, a member of the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) — was waiting in a turn lane behind two or three cars. When traffic didn’t move quickly enough, Gipson reportedly pulled out of the lane and made a left turn through the oncoming traffic lane.
The officer activated his lights and siren, following closely behind the truck as it continued down the road into a parking area. Dashcam footage reportedly shows the officer honking and using short bursts of his siren to signal Gipson to stop.
When Gipson finally stopped, he began backing into a parking spot — nearly hitting the patrol car in the process, according to police. The officer then approached the vehicle, but what began as a routine traffic citation soon escalated when Gipson allegedly refused repeated commands to exit the truck.
Body camera footage captures the exchange:
Gipson: “Why are you being so aggressive?”
Officer: “Because you didn’t stop when I told you to.”
Gipson reportedly demanded to speak with a supervisor instead of complying. Captain Ballard later explained that such a request does not override lawful police commands. “This was a simple moving violation that could’ve been easily addressed,” Ballard said. “The officer gave him at least 17 lawful orders before removing him from the vehicle.”
As the situation intensified, the officer called for backup. Video shows Gipson repeatedly accusing the officer of having “an ego problem” as commands continued. When additional officers arrived, they forcibly removed Gipson from the truck, placed him face down on the pavement, and handcuffed him.
A bystander can be heard urging Gipson to comply with police. As he was led to the patrol car, Gipson responded, “I ain’t got nothing on me ‘cause I’m not a criminal. I’m a firefighter.”
During the arrest, Gipson confirmed his employment with Nashville Fire, saying the officer was “too aggressive.” The officer replied that Gipson failed to stop when signaled.
Captain Ballard said he was disappointed by Gipson’s behavior. “As first responders, we consider each other brothers and sisters. I can’t believe a brother would put one of our officers in that situation,” he said. “A firefighter should know the importance of stopping for emergency vehicles.”
Gipson was taken to the Sumner County Jail, charged with reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, resisting stop, frisk, or arrest, disorderly conduct, and possession of a prescription drug in his name.
Following the arrest, Gallatin Police notified the Nashville Fire Department. In a statement, NFD Community Services Manager Joseph Pleasant confirmed the department’s awareness of the incident:
“We were made aware of our personnel’s arrest. He is not currently assigned to a role actively responding to emergencies. That was already in place prior to this incident for unrelated reasons not tied to any alleged criminal activity or internal policy issues. This is all we can share at this time due to the ongoing investigation and our Civil Service Process.”
No further details have been released.