Ralph Lee Nelms
Bradley County Chief Brian Smith has ordered an internal affairs investigation to run parallel to the investigation being conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation regarding the death of inmate Ralph Lee Nelms.
Until both investigations are concluded, Correctional Facility Captain Gabe Thomas has suspended three corrections officers.
Nelms was arrested last week in connection with two Bradley County business burglaries.
Funeral services for Nelms, 41,will be Thursday at 8 p.m. at Maranatha Baptist Church, 453 Blue Springs Lane, Cleveland.
A native of Ohio, the family moved to Benton in 1975.
He was an over the road truck driver.
Nelms is survived by his two sons, Jacob Lavaughn Nelms and Riley Jonathan Nelms.