Paudert Educates Nashville Law Enforcement about Anti-government Group

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Educating officers about anti-government extremists is taking West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert all over the country.

Paudert said it opens up old wounds every time he speaks about it.

"I can't imagine another family suffering the pain that I'm going through right now. It's difficult."

But telling other law enforcement officers about the day his son, Sgt. Brandon Paudert, and Officer Bill Evans were gunned down by two members of the 'Sovereign Citizens' group does in some way help him turn a personal tragedy into a campaign that may save other lives.

"Had Brandon and Bill had this information about this dangerous group they would be alive today. I know that to be a fact."

Tuesday, Paudert traveled to the Nashville area where he spoke with more than 100 of Tennessee's finest, including the FBI, at the Marriott in Franklin. Paudert said he'd never heard of 'Sovereign Citizens,' the group shooting suspects Jerry Kane and his 16-year old son Joe were apart of, until after his officers were gunned down along 1-40 in West Memphis during a traffic stop last May.

"There was a breakdown in communications somewhere in the intelligence area."

With his training video, and new education on the anti-government group, Paudert is passing on what he calls indicators the group gives off. Special license plates, and a travelers card instead of a driver's license.

Paudert said several departments he's spoken to have already changed their training procedures. Showing him he is making a difference in trying to keep other officers safe on the streets.

"If I didn't have the hundreds of emails that I have, the phone calls, the cards, I couldn't make it."

Paudert said these speaking engagements have him crossing the country now through October.