safety
Man dies in custody days after being bitten by police K-9 in Montgomery County. Here’s what officials are saying
By Caleb Wethington at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 3, 2026
· 2 min read
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office released new statements Friday after 34-year-old Darius Chappell died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.According to the sheriff’s office, Chappell was found unresponsive in his cell du...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office released new statements Friday after 34-year-old Darius Chappell died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The death of Darius Chappell in custody at the Montgomery County Jail raises concerns about the use of force by law enforcement in the region. The fact that a Clarksville police officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the use-of-force incident suggests that there may be questions about the officer's actions during Chappell's arrest. The involvement of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will likely provide a more detailed understanding of the circumstances surrounding Chappell's death. As the investigation unfolds, Nashville residents will be watching to see how the city of Clarksville and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office respond to the findings and whether any changes are made to policies or procedures regarding the use of police K-9s. The city's commitment to fully cooperating with the investigation is a positive step, and the public will be awaiting the results of the TBI's investigation to understand what happened and how it can be prevented in the future.
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 3, 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) - Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office released new statements Friday after 34-year-old Darius Chappell died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.According to the sheriff’s office, Chappell was found unresponsive in his cell du...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Caleb Wethington 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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