This is a story from the Murfreesboro Post by Sam Stockard - See the entire story HERE

Rather than call Murfreesboro Police to file a complaint about his unruly son, Rutherford County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Garrett requested sheriff's personnel come to his home inside the city limits to handle the situation, records show.

The incident shows a pattern of favoritism within the sheriff's office, says at least one group working to oust Sheriff Robert Arnold for a litany of problems.

Garrett called sheriff's dispatch about a month ago and asked for the highest in command on patrol that night to send deputies to pick up his 31-year-old son, Mitchell Garrett, who is facing criminal charges, and take him to a hospital for an evaluation to see if he needed to be admitted to a mental institution.

"I have tolerated him for a long time, and I can't tolerate him no more tonight," Garrett says on the call, a copy of which was obtained through an open records request. Garrett tells shift patrol supervisor Derek Oeser he will sign papers to have his son evaluated if necessary.

"I'm sorry to put you in this situation," Garrett says. "I'd call the city (police), but I'd rather call the county (sheriff's office)."

Oeser tells Garrett he will get to work on the matter. Garrett asks him to come to the back gate and call him so he can let him in.

The chief deputy then tells Oeser his son destroyed their sunroom and may have a warrant out for his arrest from Washington, D.C.

"But he's got a mental issue. And he needs to get help, but he won't do it on his own. I've tried to help him, but he won't see my doctor anymore, so I've done all I can do," Garrett says.

Asked if his son made any threats to hurt himself, Garrett responds, "No, he hasn't threatened himself. He has said I will die on May 13. I don't know what May 13 is. He didn't threaten to kill me on May 13."

Then the call hangs up abruptly.

Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lisa Marchesoni said no investigation was ongoing into the situation. She said another son of Garrett's took Mitchell Garrett away from the home.

Mitchell Garrett was arrested Feb. 10 by Murfreesboro Police and charged with two counts of auto burglary, two counts of theft under $500, two counts of vandalism under $500, possession of burglary tools and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a police report. He faces a May hearing in General Sessions Court.

Marchesoni declined to answer whether the sheriff's office gave Garrett preferential treatment by answering the call instead of transferring it to Murfreesboro Police since he lives inside the city limits. She also declined to say why a report was not filed and why the call cut off.

Read the entire story by Sam Stockard in the Murfreesboro Post HERE.