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KCSO calls out Farragut mayor, prompting apology about crime stats remark

Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill has endorsed candidate Tom Spangler for Knox County sheriff. On Friday, the Sheriff's Office called "a lie" an assertion by McGill that crime in the county is on the rise. The mayor then issued an apology.

Farragut's mayor is apologizing after the Knox County Sheriff's Office called him out Friday afternoon for asserting that crime is on the rise in Knox County.

“I apologize for any misunderstanding regarding my comments in endorsing Tom Spangler for Knox County Sheriff," Ralph McGill's statement reads. "Sheriff Jones and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office do an outstanding job protecting our community and I appreciate the dedication of the men and women serving in law enforcement.”

The Sheriff's Office on Friday labeled "a lie" McGill's statement in a letter on Spangler's behalf that crime had gotten higher in the county.

"The mayor is deliberately misleading Knox County citizens and Farragut residents about crime in Knox County," the Sheriff's Office's statement reads.

Spangler is a former Sheriff's Office chief deputy. He's opposed by Lee Tramel, the current chief deputy who is widely seen as Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones' choice to be the next sheriff.

The Sheriff's Office handles crime calls in Farragut, which does not have its own police force.

In a letter that McGill signed as mayor endorsing Spangler, he wrote: "...it is important to recognize that this year's election for the Knox County Sheriff has never been more important. You may have recently seen the latest crime statistics that have been released.

"If not, the crime rate has been on the rise in Knox County. I know that you agree our community deserves better."

Former Chief Deputy Tom Spangler announced his candidacy for the 2018 Knox County Sheriff election. Feb. 23, 2017.

On Friday afternoon, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Martha Dooley sent the statement to Knoxville area media outlets including 10News.

It was addressed to the "Citizens of Knox County" from "The Knox County Sheriff's Office".

The assertion by McGill that crime is on the rise in the county "is a lie," the statement reads. "As a matter of fact, crime in Knox County is down and particularly in the town of Farragut.

"In fact, we believe the mayor (has) been duped into signing this misrepresentation of the facts by the very candidate he is supporting.

"We understand this is campaign rhetoric, but when you deliberately try to mislead and scare Knox County citizens, then we have to step in with the truth."

Preliminary crime stats for 2017 show a downward trend from 2015-2016, according to KCSO.TBI is now formally reviewing 2017 stats that have been submitted to it about Knox County, according to KCSO.

The Sheriff's Office statement says the county has seen about a 5 percent drop from 2015 to 2016.

Spangler posted McGill's letter on his campaign Facebook page. In the undated letter, McGill touted Spangler's 36 years of law enforcement experience and community ties.

(Courtesy: Knox County Sheriff's Office)

McGill included nothing more about crime stats or his source.

He responded soon after the Sheriff's Office blasted him Friday.

"The Town of Farragut does not take an official position on any political campaign but the Town’s elected officials are free to express their views as private citizens," his statement reads.

McGill wasn't available for an interview.

Tramel and Spangler are Republicans competing in the May 1 primary. Because no Democrat is running, the primary winner is almost certain to be the overall winner. The general election is in August.

Early voting begins April 11 in Knox County.

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