Brent Cooper- District Attorney - 22nd Judicial District

09/03/2026

Due to issues related to roof repairs on the building, the Columbia office will be closed the remainder of today. Call 931-766-1453 if you need assistance.

08/25/2026

The Columbia Police Department, in collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, has been in the process of conducting a lengthy investigation targeting businesses and individuals involved with illegal gambling in our city. As part of this investigation, twenty-one search warrants are currently being executed at various locations throughout the city. Residents can expect to see an increased police presence throughout the city, primarily at multiple convenience stores. At the conclusion of today’s search warrants, a full press release or press conference will occur providing more detailed information. This will likely happen sometime Wednesday morning. Media outlets will be notified in advance of this release. No further information will be provided prior to Wednesday’s press release.

08/13/2026

UPDATE: SPRUILL HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND WILL BE EXTRADITED TO LAWRENCE COUNTY!

Special Thanks to the TBI, especially SAC Nathan Neese, for getting involved and making sure no stone was left unturned in finding him.

It's time to make sure he pays for what he did.

This man is wanted for a brutal home invasion and attempted murder that occurred in Lawrence County in 2023.

08/13/2026

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Justice George, please contact the Pulaski Police Department, 931-424-4404.

Giles County Emergency Services
Giles County Fire & Rescue
Giles County E911
Giles County Sheriff's Office
WKRN News 2
NewsChannel 5 Nashville

08/12/2026

ROCKY TEASE FOUND GUILTY OF R**E and KIDNAPPING

Today, a Lawrence County jury found Rocky Nathan Tease guilty of 3 counts of Aggravated R**e, 1 count of Sexual Battery, and 1 count of Aggravated Kidnapping. Assistant District Attorney Brittany Langford did an outstanding job presenting the state's proof at trial. The case was investigated by Investigator Ray Chavez. Victim Witness Coordinators Victoria Jacobs and Kim Sandlin Magee were invaluable in their roles too.

The victim in this case showed extreme courage and strength in telling the difficult facts to the jury. We pray for healing for her.

Circuit Judge J. Russell Parkes revoked Tease's bond and had him placed into custody pending sentencing.

08/04/2026

PIPKIN RECEIVES THE DEATH PENALTY

After nearly 5 hours of deliberations, the same Maury County jury that found him guilty sentenced Nathanial Pipkin to death.

The room was silent as the foreperson read the same verdict 5 times: "The sentence shall be death." Pipkin showed no emotion. In fact, he had instructed his lawyers not to fight against the death penalty.

There are no winners in cases like this. The death penalty won't bring back the lost loved ones. However, some cases cry out for a form of justice which exceeds all others. When I went to the scene October 1, 2021 and saw the carnage. A mother, brother, and 11 year old girl, all senselessly slaughtered, I knew this was such a case.

I want to thank the jurors for enduring the hardship of being sequestered and having to view the most disturbing evidence imaginable. They served their community heroically.

My heart goes out to ALL of the victims' family members who also heard and saw things no one should have to. My hope is that they can begin to heal.

I cant say enough about Assistant District Attorneys Pam Anderson and Jenni Smith. They put in countless hours preparing this case and fine tuning it for trial. They are amazing.

Christi Dickey, Victim Witness Coordinator, was invaluable in her role and was there to serve the victims with everything from getting water and tissues for the family members and, sometimes, just to cry with them.

I can say without a doubt that Maury County is blessed to have investigators the caliber of Lt. Roscoe Voss, Keith Wrather, and Matthew McDonald working for them. They did a phenomenal job doing everything from processing the crime scene, to preserving the evidence, to testifying in court.

Let's hope and pray we never see another case like this in our community. No one won yesterday, but justice was served.

08/02/2026

Today, a Maury County jury found Nathanial Pipken guilty of 3 counts of First Degree Premeditated Murder, 2 counts of Felony Murder, 1 count of Attempted First Degree Murder, and Employing a Firearm in the commission of a Dangerous Felony. On October 1, 2021, Pipken killed his brother, mother, and 11 year old Sister. He attempted to kill his stepfather.

The jury will reconvene Monday at 9 am to begin hearing proof in the sentencing phase. We are seeking the Death Penalty.

The list of those who deserve credit for this is long and doesn't include me. I will follow up with more after sentencing.

(Photo credit WKRN News)

08/01/2026

Justice served! Earlier this week, Circuit Judge Julie Heffington sentenced Townsend to 60 years, to serve at 100%. He will be eligible for release when he is approximately 120 years old. He won't be harming anymore children, for sure.

Thank you to all involved in the prosecution of this case.

ANOTHER PE*****LE OFF OF OUR STREETS

Today, a Giles County jury found 61 year old Steven Joe Townsend guilty of 4 counts of R**e of a Child, 1 count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, and 1 count of In**st.

The verdict came after hearing 4 days of proof put on by Assistant District Attorneys Becky Sue Parsons and Jenni Smith. The lead Investigator on the case was TBI Special Agent Shane Hunter, who worked for the Giles County Sheriff's Department at the time of the offense.

Sentencing is set for June 25, before Circuit Judge Julie Heffington, who was the judge at trial. Townsend faces a possible sentence from 15 -255 years in the penitentiary.

A special thanks goes out to the victim, who showed incredible courage and patience throughout this long process.

07/30/2026

The Tennessee legislature has tasked the Tennessee District Attorney General's Conference with submitting quarterly reports of arrest information for those who are illegally in the United States. Following are the first quarter (Jan - March 2026) statistics for the 22nd Judicial District. (Giles Lawrence, Maury, and Wayne counties)

07/28/2026

This announcement will be open until July 31st

The SHPD is hiring both POST-certified and non-certified police officer applicants. The starting hourly rate for non-certified applicants is $26.89. Certified applicants will start at $27.70. Officers work an 86-hour two-week pay period. Benefits include:

TCRS pension with public safety bridge

Annual uniform allowance

Take-home vehicle up to a 35-mile radius

Promotion/lateral specialized units: Crime Suppression Team, Criminal Investigator, Canine Unit, Traffic Enforcement Unit, Special Response Team (SWAT), Critical Incident Response Team (Fatal traffic crash investigations), Crisis Negotiation Team

Medical/dental/vision insurance is available through the State of Tennessee local government plan

12-hour shifts, every other Friday, Saturday, Sunday off

$1.50/hr. shift differential for working the 6 pm to 6 am shift

For more information and to apply, please click this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/springhilltn

If you have more questions, please email: [email protected]