Opinion ID: 1571705
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Liability of surety for acts of Deputy Sheriff

Text: It is necessary that we address this question, as a prelude to discussion of the contentions of the parties. The act under consideration is carried forward in the Official Code in pertinent part as follows: 8-832. Liability for wrongs of deputies  Limitation.  No sheriff, whether elected or appointed, nor any surety on his bonds, shall be liable for any wrongs, injuries, losses, damages or expenses incurred as a result of any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by said sheriff, whether said deputy is acting by virtue of office, under color of office or otherwise. 8-833. Suits against counties for wrongs of deputies.  Anyone incurring any wrong, injury, loss, damage or expense resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by the sheriff may bring suit against the county in which the sheriff serves; provided that the deputy is, at the time of such occurrence, acting by virtue of, or under color of his office. 8-834. Waiver of governmental immunity  Limit.  The governmental immunity of the county in which the said sheriff serves is waived for purposes of § 8-833, but to an extent not in excess of the amount of the surety bond executed for that county's sheriff pursuant to § 8-803. Chapter 19, of Title 8, T.C.A. governs the official bonds of all state and county officers required by law to furnish official bonds. § 8-1920 reads as follows: 8-1920. Obligations covered by bonds.  Every official bond executed under this Code is obligatory on the principal and sureties thereon  (1) For any breach of the condition during the time the officer continues in office or in the discharge of any of the duties of such office. (2) For the faithful discharge of the duties which may be required of such officer by any law passed subsequently to the execution of the bond, although no such condition is expressed therein. (3) For the use and benefit of every person who is injured, as well by any wrongful act committed under color of his office as by the failure to perform, or the improper or neglectful performance, of the duties imposed by law. It is evident that there is an apparent and irreconcilable conflict between § 8-1920 making the surety company liable for any wrongful act committed under color of his office, etc., and § 8-832 providing, in substance, that neither the sheriff nor his surety shall be liable for the acts of his deputy, even though acting by virtue of office, under color of office or otherwise. Sec. 8-832, as a subsequent and specific act, must control. See e.g., Strader v. United Family Life Ins. Co., 218 Tenn. 411, 403 S.W.2d 765 (1966). Applying the controlling statute, § 8-832, we hold that the trial judge correctly sustained the motion of Boston Old Line Insurance Company, the surety on the sheriff's official bond, for a judgment on the pleadings, and properly dismissed the third party complaint.