The Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission voted Jan. 16, 2025, to approve a settlement that closes an administrative case against Grundy County Sheriff Heath Gunter after the sheriff admitted to rules violations and agreed to monitoring, training and a temporary pay concession.

The settlement, presented by counsel for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), resolves allegations that the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office employed individuals who did not possess POST certification while performing law-enforcement duties at county schools in spring 2023 and failed to maintain ACADIS records from September 2022 to October 2023. "If the commission approves this matter, we will not move forward with the hearing today, and the matter of TDCI versus Heath Gunter would be closed," counsel Mary Beth Neasley told the commission.

Under the terms read to the commission, Sheriff Heath Gunter would: submit weekly progress updates to POST investigators for six months effective Jan. 16, 2025; forego receipt of his salary supplement for two years; and complete a POST‑approved leadership or organizational class and an ACADIS training course within six months. Commissioners were also told the agreement includes a condition that failure to comply would result in the sheriff not retaining his POST certification.

Gary Humboldt, attorney for Sheriff Gunter, told the commission the sheriff and his office have been cooperating with POST investigators. "The cadence has been running great," Humboldt said, describing ongoing weekly communications between the sheriff’s office and POST investigators and praising the work of Tracy Brown, who had taken over ACADIS responsibilities.

POST investigators described multiple onsite visits and continuing record deficiencies before the changes. Investigator Cantrell said investigators "did know that deputy Dykes was not certified and that he was employed by [the] sheriff's office," and that the offices had received multiple calls reporting the deputy performing school duties. Investigators told the commission there were at least three recurring visits related to documentation and certification issues between September 2022 and 2023.

Commissioners debated whether the settlement adequately addressed concerns about possible intentional deception. Commissioner Brian Wright said he remained troubled by what he characterized as instances that suggested deception during earlier proceedings. Commissioner Lacey Wilbur said she objected to approving a settlement that would close the matter without a full evidentiary hearing. Several commissioners, however, voiced support for closing the case under the proposed terms while reserving enforcement if the sheriff failed to meet the conditions.

The commission took a recorded vote and approved the settlement. The transcript records several individual responses: Commissioner Dale Lane — yes; Commissioner Park — abstain; Commissioner Lacey Wilbur — no; Commissioner Brian Wright — no. After the vote the department stated it would file a voluntary dismissal of the notice of hearing and charges. "With the added term that he does not comply, he won't maintain the certification, since there has been a vote in the affirmative, we would like to voluntarily dismiss the notice of hearing charges," counsel for the department said.

The commission’s action ends the formal hearing that had been referred in October 2023, but the settlement creates an enforcement path: POST staff said a breach of the agreed order would prompt a new case and potential decertification proceedings.

Background: The matter was referred to a formal hearing in October 2023 after POST alleged the sheriff allowed uncertified personnel to perform law-enforcement duties at schools and failed to keep ACADIS records current. Commissioners and POST investigators said the Grundy County office later hired and trained a new ACADIS manager, Tracy Brown, and that recordkeeping and reporting improved before the January 2025 meeting.

The commission adjourned after confirming the dismissal would be filed and the agreed terms would be entered into the administrative record.