Published: January 9, 2019

A MAURY COUNTY DEPUTY WHO WAS FIRED FOR ALLEGEDLY USING EXCESSIVE FORCE ON AN 11-YEAR-OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT DEFENDED HIMSELF TUESDAY MORNING BEFORE A CIVIL SERVICE BOARD.  MEDIA SOURCES REPORT, TIM BIRDSONG, WHO WAS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT E.A. COX MIDDLE SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA, WAS TERMINATED ON DECEMBER 14TH DUE TO AN ALLEGED INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 30TH.  BIRDSONG IS ACCUSED OF USING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO BREAK UP A FIGHT BETWEEN STUDENTS.  A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT WAS CAPTURED AND SHOWS THE OFFICER BODYSLAMMING THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER.  THE 27 YEAR OLD EXPLAINED HIS ACTIONS AND ADVISED THE BOY WAS NOT INJURED BUT IT CAUSED THE CHILD DISCOMFORT. MAURY COUNTY SHERIFF BUCKY ROWLAND ADVISED THE CHILD HAD BEEN TREATED FOR A CONCUSSION AND THAT THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN CALMED IN MANY OTHER WAYS.  DISTRICT ATTORNEY BRENT COOPER'S OFFICE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THE CASE SINCE HE WAS ALERTED TO THE SITUATION.  BIRDSONG BECAME AN SRO AT EA COX TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF 2017.  THE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD VOTED 4 TO 1 AGAINST BYRDSONG BEING REINSTATED.  HIS ATTORNEY PLANS TO APPEAL THE DECISION.