Florida man takes out protective order against Middlesex police chief

Police Chief William Dennis Murray was arrested Tuesday by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office on a misdemeanor charge of cyberstalking. Tammy Pittman, an administrative assistant for the Town of Middlesex, also is charged with cyberstalking and surrendered to authorities on Wednesday.

Arrest warrants state that they used a cellphone to repeatedly threaten, annoy and terrify Bobby Pittman in January.

Bobby Pittman said his wife and Murray were having an affair, so he moved to Brandon, Fla., near Tampa. But he said that didn't stop the harassment.

He showed WRAL News several text messages and played a voicemail message that threatened him with physical harm and arrest.

Murray, 42, declined to comment. Tammy Pittman, 46, was still in custody Thursday and couldn't be reached for comment.

Mayor Luther Lewis said he has never had any complaints against either Murray or Tammy Pittman. Both remain on the job, he said, and the Town Board hasn't yet discussed the possibility of placing either on administrative leave until the charges, which he said were of a "somewhat domestic nature," are resolved.

"We all hope the charges will be proven to be false," Lewis said.

Middlesex police officer Vincent Brock said he believes Murray and Tammy Pittman will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

"When you get to court, you've got to prove it," Brock said. "If shown proof, I might change my mind, but I don't (believe the charges) now."