A former Tennessee battalion chief has filed suit against the Town of Collierville and the town administrator, alleging he was terminated in retaliation for raising concerns with the mayor about fire department leadership, workplace harassment, and employee safety.

Former Battalion Chief Bobby Cannon filed suit in US District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on October 13, 2026, naming the town and Town Administrator Molly Mehner as defendants. The suit alleges violations of the First Amendment and Tennessee’s Public Employee Political Freedom Act.

According to the complaint, the controversy began in July 2025 when Driver/Paramedic Reece Halyard sent an email to town officials reporting harassment by another fire department employee. Halyard expressed concerns about his safety, his family’s safety, and the safety of other town employees. He requested a meeting with Mehner and asked that Chief Cannon attend as his battalion chief.

A meeting was held in early August. Several employees described conduct they considered intimidating and expressed concerns about their safety. Chief Cannon expressed disappointment that Fire Chief John Selberg was not present. He also questioned whether Chief Selberg could resolve the situation. According to the complaint, those present indicated they did not believe he could.

Chief Cannon also criticized the department’s handling of the situation, telling Mehner that the fire department had failed its personnel by not addressing ongoing safety concerns.

On August 19, 2025, Chief Selberg issued Cannon a statement of charges alleging dereliction of duty and insubordination based on his conduct surrounding the meeting and his criticism of command staff. Chief Cannon submitted a written response the following day. Approximately an hour later, Chief Selberg advised Chief Cannon that he may have misinterpreted some of his actions and did not intend to pursue discipline.

Chief Selberg subsequently apologized to Chief Cannon. During their discussion, Chief Cannon raised additional concerns about Assistant Chief Mark Carter, alleging that Chief Carter made comments about getting rid of him and had contacted other individuals to discuss Chief Cannon. Chief Cannon told Chief Selberg that he felt psychologically bullied and targeted by Chief Carter.

Following the withdrawal of the disciplinary charges, Chief Cannon requested character-reference letters from several lieutenants and other fire department personnel. In September 2025, while off duty, Chief Cannon contacted Mayor Maureen Fraser and arranged to deliver the character-reference letters to her. During their meeting, Chief Cannon expressed concerns that comments Chief Selberg had allegedly made about his character could affect his promotional opportunities. Chief Cannon also told Mayor Fraser that Chief Selberg had informed him that the mayor and town administrator had said he would never be promoted.

According to the complaint, Mayor Fraser denied making any such statement. The mayor also asked Chief Cannon how things were going within the fire department. Chief Cannon discussed his concerns about Chief Carter and expressed surprise that Human Resources had not contacted him about the matter.

On October 13, 2025, Cannon was summoned to Town Hall for a meeting with Mehner, Human Resources Director Bill Burke, and Chief Selberg. During the meeting, Mehner informed Cannon that his employment was being terminated immediately unless he submitted a written resignation by 5 p.m. that day.

In her termination letter, Mehner criticized Chief Cannon for soliciting character-reference letters from subordinates and coworkers while under disciplinary review, describing the conduct as inappropriate and an abuse of his supervisory position.

Mehner also accused Chief Cannon of making misleading statements to Mayor Fraser about his promotional prospects and his harassment allegations against Chief Carter. She further criticized him for contacting the mayor about a personnel matter that fell within the town administrator’s responsibilities.

The termination letter concluded:

• Trust, honesty, and integrity are foundational values of the Fire Department and Town of Collierville.
• These repeated instances of dishonesty and manipulation demonstrate you are no longer a credible or trustworthy member of the Collierville Fire Department.

Chief Cannon did not resign and did not pursue an internal appeal.

In his lawsuit, Cannon contends that his communications with Mayor Fraser were made as a private citizen, while off duty, and addressed matters of public concern involving fire department leadership, workplace safety, and administration. He alleges that his termination constituted retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment.

The suit also alleges that Mehner possessed final authority over disciplinary decisions involving employees in Cannon’s classification, making her termination decision an official act of the town for purposes of municipal liability under 42 USC § 1983.

Cannon’s second claim is based on Tennessee’s Public Employee Political Freedom Act of 1980. The law provides that public employees cannot be prohibited from communicating with elected public officials for job-related purposes and prohibits employers from disciplining employees for exercising that right.

Cannon alleges that his communications with Mayor Fraser were a substantial motivating factor in the decision to terminate him, violating both his constitutional rights and the Tennessee statute.

The suit seeks reinstatement, back pay, lost benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.