safety
Clarksville officer identified in K-9 attack that preceded jail death
By Brendan Tierney at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For the first time, records obtained by WSMV identify the Clarksville police officer who released a K-9 on Darius Chappell, a 34-year-old man who died in Montgomery County Jail just days after the incident.Cell phone video shows Chappell being bitten by the police dog ...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - For the first time, records obtained by WSMV identify the Clarksville police officer who released a K-9 on Darius Chappell, a 34-year-old man who died in Montgomery County Jail just days after the incident.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The identification of Officer Steven Deering as the one who released the K-9 on Darius Chappell raises questions about the Clarksville Police Department's training and adherence to its use of force policy. Given that Deering completed a course to become a K-9 officer just last year, it's concerning that the incident occurred despite his recent training. The fact that the department updated its use of force policy the day after the incident suggests a recognition of potential flaws in their procedures. The community will be watching to see how the investigation unfolds and whether the department will take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. With Deering's administrative leave set to end, the city will be awaiting the outcome of the investigation to determine the next course of action, and the community will be seeking answers on how to balance public safety with the protection of individual rights.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For the first time, records obtained by WSMV identify the Clarksville police officer who released a K-9 on Darius Chappell, a 34-year-old man who died in Montgomery County Jail just days after the incident.Cell phone video shows Chappell being bitten by the police dog ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brendan Tierney at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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