A Russellville Police Department lieutenant has been placed on administrative leave with pay after being arrested on a felony charge of Domestic Violence by Strangulation or Suffociation and a misdemeanor charge of Harassment in Lawrence County.
Dustin Lovelady, 46, was indicted in the March 2025 term of the Lawrence County Grand Jury on the two charges.
According to the indictment, Lovelady 'did assault with intent to cause physical harm by strangulation and/or attempted strangulation' against a victim who is related by marriage.'
The harassment charge alleges Lovelady 'repeatedly shoved the victim, who was or is related to him by marriage.' Both alleged offenses took place on October 14, 2023, but the indictment didn't come until 17 months later, according to court records.
Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett's office is prosecuting the case.
Lovelady is out on a $15,000 bond and has retained Huntsville attorney John R. Campbell to represent him. On April 9, 2025, Campbell filed a notice of appearance, waiver of arraignment and plea of not guilty on Lovelady's behalf.
When contacted by the Franklin Free Press on April 15th, Russellville Police Department Chief Chris Hargett said Lovelady has been placed on administrative leave with pay while the charges are pending.
Paid administrative leave is a temporary length of time where an employee is removed from his or her job duties but continues to receive his or her salary or benefits while a matter is investigated. Those matters investigated may be criminal charges, complaints of misconduct or other allegations that warrant temporary removal from day-to-day job duties.
Although Hargett confirmed Lovelady's administrative leave status, he declined to discuss the case other than confirming he was aware of the charges. Hargett referred any further inquiry to Russellville City Attorney Danny McDowell.
According to a social media posting made by Lovelady, he has worked for the Russellville Police Department since March 2016. He has steadily advanced through the RPD and was a patrol lieutenant and Field Training Officer at the time his administrative leave began.
Lovelady, as with all defendants charged with a crime, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
