Beer battle comes to head for police in east Tenn. town

(CBS/AP) KINGSPORT, Tenn. - There's a brew-ha-ha in a Tennessee town involving some cops who allegedly confiscated beer from minors, and kept it for themselves.

A 19-year veteran of the Kingston, Tenn. police force is appealing his firing after beer taken from a party was given to a fellow officer.

According to testimony at a Wednesday hearing, Cpl. Tim Horne was one of several who responded to the gathering where there was underage drinking. Officers confiscated three full cases of Natural Lite beer and part of a fourth case.

The Kingsport Times-News reported that Horne admitted laughing at a comment that the beer should be given to another officer, although he denied making the comment. Later the beer was given to the other officer and Horne approved a report stating it had been destroyed.

Horne's attorneys said firing him was an overreaction.

The officer who received the confiscated beer cases resigned.