TCA 39-16-502. False reports. —
(a) It is unlawful for any person to: (1) Initiate a report or statement to a law enforcement officer concerning an offense or incident within the officer's concern knowing that: (A) The offense or incident reported did not occur; (B) The person has no information relating to the offense or incident reported; or (C) The information relating to the offense reported is false; or
(2) Make a report or statement in response to a legitimate inquiry by a law enforcement officer concerning a material fact about an offense or incident within the officer's concern, knowing that the report or statement is false and with the intent to obstruct or hinder the officer from: (A) Preventing the offense or incident from occurring or continuing to occur; or (B) Apprehending or locating another person suspected of committing an offense;
(3) Intentionally initiate or circulate a report of a past, present, or impending bombing, fire or other emergency, knowing that the report is false or baseless and knowing: (A) It will cause action of any sort by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with those emergencies; (B) It will place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or (C) It will prevent or interrupt the occupation of any building, place of assembly, form of conveyance, or any other place to which the public has access. (b) (1) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Class D felony. (2) A violation of subdivision (a)(3) is a Class C felony.
Next the news reported that there was no damage to his bullet proof vest or any bruising to the skin under or around where the bullet was alleged to have struck. The pictures of the uniform shirt, with bent badge still attached showed no damage to even the uniform shirt.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/24/badge-deflects-bullet-saves-oakland-cop-shot-traff/
Did TN Cop Fake Story About Bullet Striking Badge?
MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL-APPEAL
Local, state, and federal authorities are investigating a report by an Oakland(TN) police officer that his badge stopped the bullet when he was shot during a traffic stop on Christmas Eve. The Oakland Police Department has asked the Fayette County Sheriff's Department to help investigate rumors that the shooting was faked, Insp. Raymond Garcia, sheriff's department spokesman, said Thursday. "We're assisting with it," Garcia said. "You are going to have to investigate any time you have something like this." Joshua Smith , an Oakland officer for about nine months, reported that when he pulled over a gray or green Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban on U.S. 64, the driver of the vehicle shot him in the chest, after a passenger in the vehicle swung a knife at him. The vehicle bore out-of-date drive-out tags, he said. Smith told his superiors that his badge stopped the bullet, which ricocheted out through his shirt. He was taken to an area hospital, but was not seriously injured. The officer's vest and shirt have been sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation lab for tests. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has also taken control of some items, Garcia said. Residue from the shirt and vest could possibly be matched to a particular shell casing or gun. "It should be able to tell us something," Garcia said. The Oakland department had just issued heavier-gauge badges than had been used previously. Oakland Chief Keith Hogwood said at the time that he believed the badge may have saved Smith's life. Neither Hogwood nor Smith could be reached Thursday night.
I'm wondering the same thing...