December 6, 2024
This story has been updated. Click here for the updated story.
November 13, 2024
SMITHFIELD – Tuesday night, two members of the Smithfield Town Council discussed the recent arrest of a suspect by Smithfield Police that made news headlines.
Council members Travis Scott and Marlon Lee expressed displeasure at the lack of information and transparency in the controversial arrest of Terrence Ellis in the parking lot of the Amazon warehouse at 2095 W. Market Street.
Video taken from several eyewitnesses was posted on social media following the Oct. 18 incident. The video appears to show a policeman punch Ellis in the face while the officer is on top of him. Additional eyewitness video of the arrest surfaced just this week.
Councilman Scott said he has “major concerns” and wants town staff to provide answers. Scott said he was told Mr. Ellis was stopped sometime prior to the incident that led to the chase and police told Ellis to leave his car beside the road. “If he was impaired why wasn’t it identified initially?”
Councilman Scott said he was told the initial traffic stop happened one mile from Amazon as Mr. Ellis was driving to work at Amazon. He said Mr. Ellis was told to leave his car beside the road. “Did we help him get to work?… What can we do to deescalate, and not escalate a crisis?”
“I’m concerned the officer is still on the job today. I support law enforcement and law enforcement has a job to do. It just seems inappropriate.”
Scott said the Town should be more forthcoming with information to the public and based on the length of time that has passed… “it is apparent the Town is not being transparent.”
Councilman Scott said he has been contacted by two different media organizations. He said both have complained about their difficulty in getting information from the Town.
Councilman Marlon Lee agreed with Councilman Travis Scott and had harsh words for Town Manager Mike Scott and Police Chief Pete Hedrick.
Lee said Ellis is now afraid to come to Smithfield because of the police department. “He is scared of the people (that are) suppose to serve and protect.”
“We’ve got some serious problems around here,” Lee said while raising his voice. The police department received federal funds for body cameras on Aug. 15, 2024 but they are still not in use. “Maybe the town doesn’t want them… Something is not right. Transparency goes both ways.”
Speaking to Police Chief Hedrick, Councilman Lee said, “Lets get something done. Its not about the quantity (of officers), its quality.” Lee added, “Community policing is more than dropping off snacks at the Sarah Yard Community Center.”
Addressing Town Manager Mike Scott and Chief Hedrick, Councilman Lee stated, “If I had the votes tonight I’d fire both of you all.”
Chief Hedrick said federal funding for the body cameras was only recently released. The cameras will arrive this week and be operational within 2 weeks.
Chief Hedrick said the internal investigation into the arrest of Terrence Ellis has been submitted to the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office for their review. He did not disclose any additional information.
On Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson told The Johnston County Report the matter is still under review.
Terrence Ellis is facing numerous charges from the Oct. 18 incident including felony fleeing to elude arrest, felony assault causing physical injury on a law enforcement officer, driving on a revoked license from a previous DWI conviction, resisting a public officer, driving while impaired, and possession of a controlled substance on jail premises.
Only people with criminal thinking and criminal sympathy would protect and cry foul over taking a person off of the street that put others at risk. Would you cry out for the people he could have killed while driving recklessly?
I guess the founding fathers fall into that category. Unreal. Folks need to remember the history of this country. They were all criminals.
There’s a bit of a difference between being a revolutionary against a country eroding your freedoms and being a wannabe thug getting smacked for fighting officers arresting you. Comparing street crime to the Found Fathers is a fallacy in of itself.
If he would have followed the law none of this would have happened. If you do the crime be prepared to do the time when you get caught.
Seems like the councilman needs to understand that during an investigation you shouldn’t be releasing information to the public other than what they probably already released. It undermines the legitimacy of any investigation if you release information hastily. Once the DA’s Office concludes their investigation then release everything to the news. Its getting to the point the news media needs to calm their jets a bit. And it also seems that the councilman that was getting so worked up could sit down and have a conversation with the Town Manager and Police Chief instead of throwing a tantrum at a meeting, no need to virtue signal because it gets nothing done.
true
Simply don’t run from the po po. Stupidist thing to do (besides why you’re running in the first place.
I think schools should have a mandatory class on what happens when you break the law, try to elude, run your mouth…. might save lives.
Public Schools are nothing more than indoctrination camps. Do as your told when I tell you. Maybe you should look at how prisons are set up and how public schools are set up. I’m pretty sure they are taught what happens when you break the laws that were made by men. I am so thankful that the founding Fathers of this country broke the mandatory laws imposed on them and ran their mouth so we could have Freedom, well I guess we calm it that.
Stop. You are embarrassing yourself with this ridiculous argument.
Clearly Stated “Chief Hedrick said the internal investigation into the arrest of Terrence Ellis has been submitted to the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office for their review. He did not disclose any additional information.
On Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Paul Jackson told The Johnston County Report the matter is still under review.”
Why are you making a scene about something that has been given to the County Attorney? The man was impaired and had a controlled substance but you’re worried about the fact that he is fearful to return to Smithfield? we don’t want this type of trash in our town!
If the police officer did abuse his authority, it should come out with the County Attorney and it’s investigation. If it doesn’t, then you start screaming for transparency.
So they tried to cut him a break and let him get away with impaired driving with no license. Possession of drugs and he didn’t appreciate that and decided to drive off and then when caught at Amazon took a swing at the officer. Was put on the ground refused to comply with lawful commands. Soft hands and commands were ineffective so hard hands were used to gain control and compliance. Whoever sees this as anything other than race baiting and an attempt to get a settlement is in denial.
Have you watched the multiple videos?
How did you come to the conclusion that it was race baiting? The article didn’t mention race. Perhaps YOU saw the video and noticed he was a different race than the officers and are conditioned to think that minorities who complain about being mistreated are nothing more than people looking for a pay day? I honestly I think the officer lost his cool and punched the guy. Should he be fired? Probably and only due to the fact that he can’t keep his cool and is in a position that requires this as he is armed and an authority. The guy should not have been punched, he should have been handcuffed and taken to jail from the start. Not only that, but if the officer was about to let him “leave his car” and walk to work after witnessing him driving impaired, he is giving a drunk driver the impression that there is no real consequences in Smithfield for driving impaired and could possibly make him think if this is the case, he can do it again and end up hurting innocent people in the future.
100%
This is what happens when you go out and hire just anyone to work for you. Smithfield brags about all the new hires they got by paying 60k to start and placing SROs in their schools finally. It’s all great until something happens at SSS or any other school and they don’t know what to do. When the Sheriff deputies handled the schools there were very few issues. They seem to have a calmer quiet confidence and handle crises situations and things so much better..just my observation as a teacher ..
Have you done a ride along at that department? If not, I suggest you do and gain some credible knowledge about what it takes to be a Law Enforcement Officer on patrol.
I agree 100%…
“The police department received federal funds for body cameras on Aug. 15, 2024 but they are still not in use.” #thingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmm
The truth is, they received a fake check, to let the community know this money was issued. A department cannot get any equipment until they get the actual funds in their account. So no, the money was not in hand on August 15, 2024.
@Retired: A fake check? Congresdman Nickel secured the funds. The town was awarded $124,000 (award #15PBJA-24) on Aug 15. This is reflected in the towns finances. In 3 months, the town still hasn’t begin to use these funds…. I wonder why? #factsNotFiction
The funds have been approved however they have not been distributed to the towns.
Got to love facts! Thank you for them!
If Ellis was a law abiding citizen, none of this would not have happen. The NC law, states that an officer may use the amount of force needed to make an arrest. So, if Ellis would have complied with the commands of the officer, he would not be in this situation. I am sick and tired of town councils always wanting to immediately fire an officer for during their job. Stop, praising the criminal and glorifying them. It’s simple, you do not comply, than the officer may use the amount of force to effect the arrest.
But you’re definitely ALL FOR officers using their own discretion correct? So explain their “discretion” at supposedly letting an individual who is under the influence and in possession, go about his business to begin with, with you all the while screaming he’s a danger to the public? Hmmm…that might be a tad difficult to explain officer!
Don’t worry, Smithfield PD. These councilmen are here to stir up drama and bring attention to themselves and not to the criminal that tried to assault you and officers before you. Their agenda is promoting division and hate and I’d rather see them go than these officers that literally risk their lives daily protecting misguided councilmen. Their statements are ignorant and uniformed.
Thank you SMPD for protecting our town from thugs such as this!
So break the law, run from the police BUT make sure you ask them if you want a ride to work !! Are you serious now???? The police officer clearly did his job ! So a criminal is afraid to come to a community , WOW how do you think us innocent law abiding citizens feel!!! This guy had a previous record , clearly he did not care ! This is absolutely ridiculous!
Just my opinion but the man broke the law and then resisted. Looked like the cops were having a hard time with him. I don’t fault the cops at all and appreciate them. They have to deal with the worst of society like this on a daily basis. He may not be a bad guy but he was in this instance.
My name is Greg Davis and I think that every person who is hiding behind a pseudonym to make comments has no room to tell anyone what they should or have an opinion.Thays just as much a problem and deceitful as you can get……:)
Don’t hide behind false names to comment,obtaining gratification by false pretenses,lol,no all this hiding and not doing what’s right is the problem.All of you hiding and commenting,that’s the problem,no accountability
…..:)
And *** even knows Gregory Davis is your real name? That’s just the petty stupid comment of someone who has no other defense! Sorry, no credit for trying, not even a decent attempt. lol.