An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Terry Hopper, the former Chief Pilot of the Jackson Police Aviation Unit. The investigation began after Jackson Police Department officials reported questionable payroll transactions.
Investigators determined that Hopper improperly received at least $29,499.07 in unearned wages and employer-paid benefits between May 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022.
In early 2020, Hopper was allowed to occasionally travel to a neighboring law enforcement agency under the pretense that he was training for an advanced aviation certification. However, in August 2022, department officials discovered that he was, instead, traveling to Millington to perform work for a private business.
Investigators reviewed records and concluded that Hopper was paid by the City of Jackson for 780.25 regular hours and 32 overtime hours when he was not physically present at his assigned work location.
Hopper’s unearned wages totaled $23,146.89, and his unearned payroll benefits totaled $6,352.18.
The investigation also found that Hopper abused his assigned City of Jackson-owned vehicle privilege by fueling his vehicle on days he claimed to be working for the department but was not physically present at the aviation hangar or neighboring law enforcement agency.
Terry Hopper retired from the Jackson Police Department on November 16, 2022. Based upon this investigation, in October 2024, the Madison County Grand Jury indicted him on one count of theft of property over $10,000.
“Employers should do their best to verify that employees are present at their assigned work location each day,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “Failure to do so increases the risk that errors or intentional misappropriations will occur and remain undetected.”
