Deputies earn awards for locating unauthorized medications, pills in inmates’ cell

Three Rutherford County Adult Detention deputies received Meritorious Conduct Awards for removing medicine and pills from two inmates housed in the jail.

Sgt. Jacob Hibdon, Field Training Officer Tyler Al-Greene and Deputy Geoffrey Boyd were recognized by Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson and Detention Capt. Curtis Little.

Narcotics Detective George Barrett notified Hibdon an inmate was believed to possess suboxone strips used to treat opioid dependence, Lt. Glen Edgell reported in the award nomination.

Hibdon developed a plan to safely extract the two suspects, secure their cell and place the housing unit on lockdown.

Once the suspects were removed from the pod, they were escorted to booking where they were drug tested and strip searched.

“Both subjects tested positive for suboxone,” Edgell reported.

Hibdon and Al-Greene and Boyd searched the cell where they recovered 21 suboxone strips, 16 pills in different places in the cell and additional contraband. The suboxone strips were located in the fingertips of rubber gloves and hidden in a Bible.

“The recovered contraband was turned over to Detective Barrett, resulting in criminal charges being filed,” Edgell reported.

“Hibdon's leadership, initiative and professionalism directly contributed to the successful recovery of illegal narcotics and contraband within the detention facility,” Edgell reported.

FTO Al-Greene's and Boyd’s exceptional attention to detail and diligent searching efforts prevented potential overdoses and possibly the loss of life within the jail facility, the lieutenant reported.