RPD officer arrested on drug charges

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Russellville Police Officer was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance Wednesday night after allegedly purchasing a controlled substance from a police informant.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said Jerry McClurg, 40, of Walnut Lane in Russellville, was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance. McClurg has been a officer with the department for six years but has been involved with law enforcement for 10 years.
Hargett said McClurg was placed on administrative leave without pay after his arrest and will remain on leave pending the completion of the investigation.
"It's a sad day for the police department to have to arrest one of our own officers," Hargett said.
"But, it's important that the public knows we are going to police our department the same way we would police the city."
Sources indicate that McClurg purchased a controlled substance from a known informant.
According to the Alabama Criminal Code, possession of a controlled substance is a Class C felony, which carries a sentence of one year and one day to 10 years in prison upon conviction.
Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said his office is saddened that a member of the local law enforcement community has been charged with a crime.
"If someone in the law enforcement community commits a crime, we treat it the same as any other crime, but it does sadden our office," Rushing said.
Rushing said his office has requested the case be transfered to Marion County since McClurg was a local law enforcement official.
"I have already talked with the Marion County District Attorney and he has agreed to handle the case pending the Attorney General's approval," Rushing said.
Hargett said McClurg was released from police custody Thursday morning on a $2,000 property bond.