Tenn. officer appeals firing over confiscated beer

[May 13, 2011]  KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) -- A 19-year veteran of a Tennessee town's police department is appealing his firing after beer confiscated from minors was given to a fellow officer.

According to testimony at a Wednesday hearing, Cpl. Tim Horne was one of several Kingsport officers who responded to a party where there was underage drinking. Officers confiscated three full cases of Natural Lite beer and part of a fourth case.

The Kingsport Times-News reported that Horne admitted laughing at a comment that the beer should be given to another officer, although he denied making the comment. Later the beer was given to the other officer and Horne approved a report stating it had been destroyed. The officer who received the beer resigned.

Horne's attorneys said firing him was an overreaction.

Kingsport is in eastern Tennessee.

[Associated Press]

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