Suspicious Of An Affair, Davidson County Sheriff's Lieutenant Pulls Gun On Wife, Mechanic: MNPD

NASHVILLE, TN — A Davidson County Sheriff's Office lieutenant who works at the jail found himself on the other side of the bars after allegedly pulling a gun on his wife and the family's mechanic, according to police.

The mechanic told investigators he was returning a car he'd been working on to DCSO Lt. Derrick Gleaves' wife at her job early Friday morning and that he was followed there by Gleaves. The mechanic said when he arrived in the parking lot, Gleaves — who was still in full uniform as he'd just finished his shift at the jail —blocked him in, approached the car and began yelling, saying that the mechanic was having an affair with his wife.

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As Gleaves' wife came into the parking lot, Gleaves went back to his car, retrieved a handgun and began threatening to shoot his wife and the mechanic, according to an affidavit. Both the wife and the mechanic said Gleaves kept the gun at his side, but nevertheless, his wife — who was standing between the two men — said she felt threatened, though the mechanic did not.

Both the mechanic and Gleaves' wife denied the affair; they are "just friends," according to the arrest report.

Gleaves was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with aggravated assault and placed on administrative leave by the DCSO, where he's worked for 16 years, though he's only been working in the jail for since the beginning of the year. He was previously convicted of assault in 2001. A vandalism charge in 2007 was dismissed.

Gleaves sent a statement to WSMV:

My wife and I have experienced a few turn of events over the past months.
We work late night hours and try to spend time with each other at our place of work when we had the chance to reconcile our differences. This night was no different.
I was just as surprised to see the gentlemen when I arrived as he was to see me. He repairs all of our vehicles including my in-laws and is trustworthy. I wouldn't harm or wish any harm to come his way.
I want to thank all of my friends and family for all of your support as we move forward.

In an interview with WKRN, Gleaves said he was simply caught by surprise by the mechanic and that once the men cooled off, he left the scene.

Photo by Metro Nashville Police