Like you and me, only better
A motorist’s decision to stop a deputy for speeding escalated into a series of incidents than ended with his entire family joining him in jail.
Last week, Lance E. Champion, 23, reportedly pulled in behind Deputy Lt. Stan Hillis across from the local jail and told Hillis he had violated the speed limit. By the end of their conversation, Champion was in custody charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest.
Champion called his mother, Janice K. Champion, 48, who arrived with her 17-year-old son. The teen allegedly slapped the hand of a deputy who was gesturing for them to leave the area as Lance Champion’s vehicle was about to be towed.
“If you strike an officer, you’re going to jail 100 percent of the time,” said Sheriff Jackie Matheny.
Mrs. Champion was then taken into custody, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Officers say she was loud and refused to obey orders.
Her husband Hal Champion, 47, then arrived from church, was shot with a deputy’s Taser and taken into custody on similar charges.
All were later freed on bond.
The whole family is in jail because a policeman violated the law. My cop friends tell me that unless they have lights/sirens on or are headed to an emergency situation, they aren’t allowed to speed. I think the cop should have just apologized.
June 22nd, 2004 at 8:03 am
Sounds like the family-of-the-year escalated the situation too fast for an apology. Maybe at the trial the cop will get a chance. YR!
June 22nd, 2004 at 6:04 pm
Assume the Position
Apropos of my post on the lack of a right not to be hassled, you and your entire idiot family…
June 23rd, 2004 at 8:49 am
Get the truth before you start slamming law enforcement!The officer wasn’t speeding!If anything the family should be apologizing.The deputies were just doing their job!Your “cop friends” should no better than to blindly run their mouth without knowing the situation!
June 23rd, 2004 at 9:16 am
The officer wasn’t speeding
Well stace, that’s not how the newspaper described the situation, now is it?
June 23rd, 2004 at 11:20 am
should no
uh-huh
June 23rd, 2004 at 8:15 pm
I’m close friends with all 3 of the officers involved and know what really happened. The paper is one sided, it doesn’t state how redneck these boys are or the previous trouble they have been in, now does it? Maybe you shouldn’t believe everything you read!
June 24th, 2004 at 4:54 am
Sorry stace, not buying it. Is it unreasonable to believe cops were speeding? Not at all. I see it on alcoa highway every day. But if i do it, i get pulled over.
May be redenecks, but i agree with the point their making.
June 24th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
That’s okay Sayuncle–Alcoa Hwy?It makes since now, your town/city is 4 times bigger.This took place on a 2 lane that runs into a 1 lane road & your paper didn’t even tell as much as ours.This was during 1 of our busiest times(traffic wise)& speeding would be impossible.I’m not trying 2 be a bitch, I just know that all of these officers are honest & our Sherif is a highly respected church going man in our community and he is backing them!
June 24th, 2004 at 5:50 pm
Glad to hear it. But i do have my doubts.
June 24th, 2004 at 11:06 pm
I can see where your comming from, but these are really good guys.I’m tired of going back & fourth.I will take my stand behind them,just as our sherif has!
July 10th, 2004 at 12:19 pm
Well, another “fine upstanding, entire Woodbury family” was arrested again on Friday morning, but this time not in Warren County. It was in their own home county. Amazingly, these officers didn’t have tasers so when “Mom” resisted and fought officers, her knee was broken in the struggle. Are these people just stupid? Don’t dis an officer. Who else is gonna help you if you call 9-1-1 to come to your worst nightmare? Didn’t God say HE would judge people, not all these fine families in Cannon County? And, hey, as for the family better than all others suing Warren County because they were all above the law… some of the worst people I’ve ever known I met in church, so why don’t they get a clue and realize they can’t yell at or touch the law. And, in case you people don’t know, reporters are “writers”, not the almighty, knowing onmicient power who know all sides and report all sides.
August 9th, 2004 at 8:52 pm
Well, the first indictment was made today. The youngest Champion was found guilty of both charges. I’ll let you know when the others go to court!