Former chief pilot with the Jackson Police Department indicted for theft

JACKSON, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former chief pilot with the Jackson Police Aviation Unit was indicted for theft, according to an investigation from the state Comptroller's Office.

A press release from the Tennessee Comptroller's Office determined that Terry Hopper improperly received at least nearly $29,500 in unearned wages and employer-paid benefits between May 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022.

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Last month, a Madison County Grand Jury indicted him on one count of property theft over $10,000.

"Employers should do their best to verify that employees are present at their assigned work location each day," comptroller Jason Mumpower said in the release. "Failure to do so increases the risk that errors or intentional misappropriations will occur and remain undetected."

The investigation also found that though Hopper was allowed to occasionally travel to neighboring law enforcement agencies under the pretense of training for advanced aviation certifications, he instead traveled to Millington to work for a private business.

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Investigators reviewed records, finding that the city of Jackson paid Hopper over 780 regular hours and 32 overtime ours when he was not present at his assigned work location. In all, his unearned wages totaled more than $23,000.

Further, hopper abused vehicle privileges by fueling on days when he claimed to be working for the department but was not physically present at the hangar or any neighboring law enforcement agency.