Update: Taco Bell employee who refused service to deputies fired

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said Sunday night that he has been told by corporate management at Tacala, which owns the Phenix City Taco Bell on Highway 280, that the employee who refused service to two of his deputies on Saturday has been fired.

There was also an apology.

Jones said the deputies told him the cashier told the deputies that the restaurant does not serve law enforcement officers.

“It happened around 9:40 p.m. central time,” Jones said. “They thought the cashier was kidding. When they realized she wasn’t, they left. It is very disappointing that officers would be treated in such a negative fashion because we try to treat everyone with respect.”

Jones said he was told a person eating at the establishment was overheard by the deputies as approving of the employee’s action.

Visiting the restaurant around noon Sunday, district manager Robert Chauvin said Taco Bell was well aware of the situation and was investigating the matter.

“That is not our policy, not in any way,” Chauvin said. “This will be rectified.”

Jones said he was sure that the act was not a restaurant policy but just the action of one individual.

He said he would not want Taco Bell to suffer from the actions of one person the same way all law enforcement officers should not blamed for the action of a few.

Jones said he would handling all inquiries about the incident.

This story was originally published July 17, 2016 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Update: Taco Bell employee who refused service to deputies fired."