Updated with statement from City Mayor Joe Pitts.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A man whose arrest is being investigated by Clarksville Police for K9 use-of-force has died while in custody at the Montgomery County Jail.

Darius Jervon Chappell, 34, died at about 3 a.m. Friday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office told Clarksville Now. He was found unresponsive in his cell during a routine security check, Lt. Bishop Delaney said.

Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services responded to the jail and transported Chappell to Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical staff. The cause of death has not been released. Chappell’s next of kin has been notified.

The MCSO Criminal Investigations Division has conducted a preliminary investigation, and their findings have been provided to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, who will take over the investigation, Delaney said. 

At the request of 19th Judicial District Attorney General Robert Nash, the TBI is investigating Chappell’s death, the TBI said in a statement. Clarksville Now has reached out to the DA’s Office.

Video of arrest shows K9 attack

Chappell was arrested Monday, June 29, in front of Dutch Bros on Fort Campbell Boulevard in what CPD referred to as a “use-of-force incident involving one of our canine officers.”

Video of the arrest – taken by a bystander and shared on social media – shows Chappell struggling with two MCSO deputies when a third deputy and then a CPD officer join in the struggle.

With the man on his back, the CPD officer then goes to his vehicle and releases a K9 police dog. While Chappell is on the ground, the dog attacks Chappell as the officers handcuff him. The officer then removes the dog, which continues snapping as it is returned to the vehicle.

Clarksville Now has attempted to reach Chappell’s family.

What happens next

The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending completion of an internal investigation, in accordance with departmental policy, CPD spokesman Scott Beaubien told Clarksville Now. 

“The City of Clarksville and Clarksville Police Department wish to express deepest sympathies to family members, and anyone close to Mr. Darius Chappell, upon learning of his death while in custody in the Montgomery County Jail,” City Mayor Joe Pitts said in a statement Friday afternoon.

“The City of Clarksville and CPD share in the general public’s desire to learn all of the facts of this incident, and have it resolved with careful due process ensuring that justice is served fairly and accurately.

“The City of Clarksville and CPD will fully cooperate with (the DA’s Office and TBI), will not otherwise engage in, or interfere with the investigation, and will not further elaborate publicly on this matter or respond to questions about it, until the investigation renders a conclusive decision,” Pitts said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was the arresting agency.

Chappell was charged with assaulting a police officer, evading arrest, resisting arrest and violation of parole. His only prior record involves a domestic assault arrest in 2025, and another on June 22 this year. Warrants with details were not available Friday due to the holiday weekend.

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