Stephen Malone, the former Collinsville, Alabama police chief, was arrested in Nashville on February 1, 2026 and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation, a felony under Tennessee law. He resigned from the Collinsville Police Department within days. His case was marked “retired” in Davidson County court records on April 17, 2026, but a trial date remains on the docket for August 24, 2026.
The Nashville Arrest
Metropolitan Nashville Police responded to a home on 12th Avenue South around 3 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after a disturbance between Malone and a woman he was dating.1WSMV News 4. Alabama Police Chief Accused of Punching, Strangling Woman in Nashville According to the arrest affidavit, the two had been arguing about alleged infidelity when the dispute turned physical.2WHNT News 19. Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Malone Arrested for Aggravated Assault in Nashville
The affidavit stated that Malone repeatedly struck the woman in the face with a closed fist and grabbed her by the throat, slamming her down multiple times.3WAFF 48 News. Collinsville Police Chief Resigns After Being Arrested in Nashville on Aggravated Assault Charge Responding officers reported scratches on her neck and bruising on her knees and cheek. Malone told officers that the woman was intoxicated and had attacked him first, pointing to a small scratch on his nose and a broken necklace. Officers found her account consistent with the injuries they observed and identified Malone as the primary aggressor.2WHNT News 19. Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Malone Arrested for Aggravated Assault in Nashville
Malone was booked shortly after 8 a.m. that Sunday on a felony charge of aggravated assault by strangulation. His bond was set at $20,000, and he was released after 7:30 p.m. the following day.1WSMV News 4. Alabama Police Chief Accused of Punching, Strangling Woman in Nashville
Resignation From Collinsville
Malone had been appointed Collinsville’s police chief in 2025, succeeding Andy Brown.4WHNT News 19. Collinsville Police Chief Andy Brown Resigns He resigned from the department after the arrest, with his departure reported on February 3, 2026. Jeremy Pinegar was named interim chief while the city searched for a permanent replacement.5Yahoo News. Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Malone Resigns In April 2026, the city appointed Ray Morales as the new chief.6WHNT News 19. New Collinsville Police Chief Appointed Following Previous Chief’s Assault Arrest, Resignation
Where the Criminal Case Stands
The case was filed in Davidson County as case number GS1099817, with an initial court date of February 10, 2026.1WSMV News 4. Alabama Police Chief Accused of Punching, Strangling Woman in Nashville According to the Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk, the case received a disposition of “retired” on April 17, 2026 and was marked closed.7Nashville Criminal Court Clerk. Criminal History Search – Stephen Malone
In Tennessee practice, a retired case is not the same as a dismissal or an acquittal. Prosecution has been suspended, but the case stays pending and can be restored to the docket.8Tennessee Attorney General. Opinion No. 11-004 Consistent with that, the court record lists a trial date of August 24, 2026 before Judge Allegra Walker, with Bernard F. McEvoy as defense attorney.7Nashville Criminal Court Clerk. Criminal History Search – Stephen Malone Whether the case will proceed to trial, resolve through a plea, or remain retired is not clear from the public record.
What a Conviction Would Mean
Under Tennessee Code § 39-13-102, aggravated assault by strangulation is a Class C felony.9Justia. Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 – Aggravated Assault A conviction can carry a fine of up to $15,000 along with imprisonment. In domestic violence cases, Tennessee law imposes a mandatory minimum of 30 days of incarceration, and anyone convicted on or after July 1, 2022 must serve 100 percent of the sentence imposed, with earned credits reducing it by no more than 15 percent.10Tennessee General Assembly. Fiscal Memorandum – Aggravated Assault Strangulation Sentencing
A felony conviction would also end any return to Alabama policing. Rules of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission state that conviction of any felony is a “complete and absolute bar” to certification or employment as a law enforcement officer in the state, and that a pardon does not nullify a conviction for certification purposes.11Alabama APOSTC. APOSTC Administrative Rules Federal law separately prohibits people convicted of domestic violence offenses from possessing firearms, which would independently disqualify someone from police service.