In Lebanon, Tennessee, a shocking scandal has unfolded at Castle Heights Elementary School.
Brian Gilley, once a D.A.R.E. officer educating kids on drug prevention, has been stripped of his badge.
An internal investigation by the Lebanon Police Department uncovered his sexual relationship with teacher Shelby Moss.
The illicit encounters occurred on school grounds after hours in September 2024.
Gilley initially denied the allegations, claiming no sexual contact happened while on duty.
However, he later confessed to the relationship and resigned from the police force.
No body camera footage exists from the September incident, but other evidence surfaced.
FOX 17 News obtained August 2024 footage showing Gilley and Moss kissing while he was in uniform.
The investigative report noted Moss was married during the affair.
A student entered the classroom minutes before the recorded kissing incident, though not during it.
In April 2025, Gilley faced a decertification hearing, pleading for leniency.
The Tennessee POST Commission voted in May 2025 to permanently decertify Gilley.
Moss received a two-day suspension from the Lebanon Special School District and later resigned.
The district reported the incident to the Tennessee State Board of Education for further review.
JC Bowman of Professional Educators of Tennessee emphasized the need to ensure student safety.
Chief Mike Justice and Representative Clark Boyd called for reviews to prevent future incidents.
Lebanon Special School District Statement (quoted directly):
“The Lebanon Special School District expects all employees to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct at all times. In December of 2024 we were made aware that a teacher engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a police officer after hours while on campus. The District immediately conducted a thorough investigation and took appropriate disciplinary action in line with our policies and procedures. We want to assure our families and community that we take all concerns seriously and act promptly to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.”
Lebanon Police Department Statement (quoted directly):
“Upon receiving a complaint on former officer Brian Gilley, our staff committed to an immediate internal investigation. During the investigation, several issues, including serious policy violations, were identified. The policy violations also included being untruthful during the inquiry. These facts were presented during a POST decertification hearing. While Gilley’s actions did not align with our department’s standards or policies, the conduct was not criminal in nature, did NOT involve children, and did NOT occur in the presence of children or in the classroom. We hold our officers to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Gilley’s actions fell short of those expectations that our community demands and deserves.”