MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Swift action and teamwork among city and law enforcement officials helped an 83-year-old woman from being evicted in South Memphis on Friday.
A family member contacted Memphis Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton and the Shelby Co. Sheriff’s Office for help.
The sheriff’s office sent a civil levy commander to the home, who explained the eviction was not being carried out by the sheriff’s office and that they could not intervene without a court order.
Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton, the homeowner, and her lawyer quickly obtained a court injunction, confirming the homeowner had paid her taxes.
Once verified, deputies stopped the eviction and removed the private movers and private process server from the property.
After the scene was cleared, the problem remained that the homeowner’s belongings were on the lawn, and it was getting late in the day.
Seeing this, the civil levy division commander contacted his command, who notified Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner, and a call was put out for assistance. Within minutes, deputies who were ending their shift volunteered and quickly responded to the home.
Deputies, Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton, family, friends, and neighbors all worked together to move the woman’s belonging back into her home—and the eviction was successfully stopped.
“This situation shows the heart of law enforcement and community service at its best. Our deputies did not hesitate to step up, even after their shifts ended, to make sure this woman could return safely to her home,” said Buckner. “The cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office, Councilwoman Cooper-Sutton, the courts, and the community is exactly what public safety should look like—protecting the vulnerable and standing together when it matters most.”
