Alabama sheriff’s deputies refused service at Phenix City Taco Bell

Two sheriff’s deputies were allegedly refused service at a Taco Bell in Alabama, simply for being police officers.

The deputies were at a Taco Bell Saturday night in Phenix City when a cashier denied the officer’s service because of the uniforms they were wearing.

News of the situation surfaced when the wife of a fellow deputy on the same shift, Tammy Bush Mayo, took to Facebook to describe the situation.

“This really disturbs me that people have started treating law enforcement professionals in this manner when these same law enforcement professionals put their lives on the line every day to protect all people, including this woman with a very bad attitude at Taco Bell,” Mayo posted.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones confirmed the incident with multiple sources on his staff, finding that a 9:40 p.m. the two LCSO deputies were told by a counter cashier they would not serve law enforcement and that they needed to leave.

Jones released a statement, saying:

I’m very disappointed that simply because they were uniformed law enforcement officers that our deputies were treated in such negative fashion. We pride ourselves in giving people basic respect and only ask the same in return.

I am inclined to believe that this was the attitude of one employee and not the policy of the management. The fair thing is to give them an opportunity to respond.

We won’t base our opinion of Taco Bell on one employee’s negative action any more than the general public should base their opinion of law enforcement on the negative action of one officer.

Following an investigation, Taco Bell said the employee had been terminated and the restaurant chain issued an apology to the Alabama deputies.

“We are deeply appreciative of the men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect our communities,” the company said in a statement.