Guns? Sure, people pawn them all the time says Bobby Dixon, owner of American Pawn.
Dixon adds, "Nothing really odd."
That is why he did not think twice when Christopher Hammontree came in his store with a similar rifle, wanting around $475 for it.
So, Dixon did what he normally does. He entered the serial number, model number, and even took a picture of Hammontree to complete the deal.
Only to find out a day later.
Dixon says, "Are you kidding me? This guys a cop and he pawned his own issued gun."
That is right, the 14-year veteran with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office is now being investigated by his own co-workers.
They believe he pawned his department issued rifle at American Pawn, and his department issued shotgun at another store.
Sheriff Scott Chitwood, with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, says, "Unfortunately, just think he made a poor decision that we're having to follow up with and conduct an investigation."
Meanwhile, Hammontree is on paid administrative leave.
Dixon adds, "Kinda surprised me after it happened that we have a system here that anybody we take in , it instantly goes to the police with a picture of the item, a description, and you would think he would have known that system was in place."
We asked Sheriff Scott Chitwood the same question.
Did officers get trained on this database, and did they know that with just a click of the button information here could be sent straight to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Chitwood says, "I'm not sure if he had knowledge of it. I think most officers know we work very closely with pawn shops."
While Dixon wonders why an officer would risk his job, he is also wondering now, who is going to give him back his $475?
No word on why Hammontree needed the money or if charges will be issued.
