In a dramatic encounter captured on body camera footage, a Nashville police officer found himself in a contentious exchange with a plainclothes Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper. The incident unfolded when the officer pulled over the trooper, who was escorting a high-profile politician at the time.

The confrontation occurred as the trooper, driving a black SUV, was accompanying state House Speaker Cameron Sexton on a routine escort in October. The Metro Nashville Police Department officer, in an unmarked vehicle, attempted to stop the SUV, citing a speed of 85 mph in a 55 mph zone as the reason for the intervention.

In an attempt to convey that the SUV was part of an official protection detail, the vehicle activated its blue emergency lights. Despite this signal, the Nashville police officer drove alongside and insisted that the vehicle pull over, raising the tension of the moment.

Amidst the clamor of the busy freeway, the MNPD officer could be heard commanding, “Get over here,” as the situation briefly escalated on the roadside.

“Get over here,” the MNPD officer shouted through the noise of the busy freeway.

“I’m Highway Patrol!” the trooper replied, before being pushed away by the officer.

“I don’t care who you are!” the officer snapped back.

“Get your freakin’ hands off me,” the trooper shouted.

“If you touch me again, I’m going to lock you up, my friend,” the officer threatened.

The trooper then showed his badge and explained that he was escorting Sexton.

“I’ve got the Tennessee House Speaker in the car, and we’re moving,” the trooper said.

“No, you’re not. Let me see your ID,” the officer replied.

Moments later, tensions flared again as the trooper stepped out of the SUV and was shoved by the officer.

“If you’re going to run 85 mph in a 55 mph zone, you need to yield to police,” the officer said. “I don’t care who you think you are.”

“I am the police!” the trooper replied.

“Well, the police are trying to stop you because you’re breaking the law,” the officer shot back. “What’s your problem, dude?”

The trooper said he had activated his blue lights and provided the officer with his badge number.

“I’ve got business to take care of. We’ve got places to go,” he added.

“We’re going to see about that, my friend,” the officer said, before the two parted ways.

Following the encounter, Sexton’s chief of staff, Kevin Johnson, filed a Citizen Complaint Report, WKRN reported.

A spokesperson for Sexton later said the MNPD officer’s actions were “overzealous” and “jeopardized the safety of Speaker Sexton and THP.”

“There was no violation of traffic laws by the THP officer pursuant to state law. In today’s climate of political violence, the job of executive protection is more difficult than ever,” Sexton’s office said in a statement to WKRN.

The statement added that the trooper repeatedly identified himself and attempted to show his badge but was physically confronted twice, while remaining restrained throughout the encounter.

However, an internal Metro Police investigation cleared the officer, concluding his actions were reasonable and in line with department policy.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol later said it “maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department built on mutual respect and shared professionalism, and we’re proud of the work our agencies accomplish together to keep Tennesseans safe.”