On March 16, 2017, Ashley Parker called the Crockett County Police Department about a man who was blocking a road. She reported that she was afraid he was going to get hit but did not mention the possibility of a threat. This man was Rodney Hess, a 36-year-old schizophrenic who was possibly undergoing a mental health crisis. He was also unarmed as he did not have possession of a firearm at the time. The police eventually arrived and went to talk to him. Rodney Hess asked to see someone who was higher in command. The officer then walked away from the vehicle. As this happened, Rodney Hess backed up his truck to possibly talk to the officer. He was in no harm and did not get hit as he happened to be to the side of the vehicle in a safe position. As this happened, the officer lifted up a baton towards Hess's truck causing him to drive forward. This was when Captain Jordan Spraggins shot and killed Rodney Hess as he believed that Hess ran over the other officer despite the fact that he had no evidence to assure of it. No officer screamed or even stated that Hess had struck the officer. Due to the unlawful acts of Captain Jordan Spraggins, Rodney Hess is now dead. And the worst part about all of it is the fact that Hess was on Facebook live recording the situation and footage can be found online today.

The spouse of Rodney Hess filed a lawsuit against the Crockett County Police Department after this horrible incident where Captain Jordan Spraggins was found not guilty for the unlawful murder of Rodney Hess despite video evidence showing that Spraggins had very little reason to believe that Hess had struck the officer in the first place. Rodney Hess happens to have three children and due to the irresponsible actions of Captain Jordan Spraggins, they no longer have a father to provide for them.

This petition has been created to demand the reopening of Rodney Hess' case. Jordan Spraggins had very little reason to assume his life was at danger at the time. Spraggins used excessive force based off what he "thought" happened and did not use proper deescalation techniques even after confirming that his partner was not struck by Hess' vehicle. Therefore he was unlawfully using deadly force when he shot and fatally killed Hess. Jordan Spraggins received no punishment for his actions and it is against the elementary ideas of this nation for Rodney Hess to be killed.