Edmund Ford Jr. files protective order against Mickell Lowery

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. is seeking a protective order against Commissioner Mickell Lowery. The duo reported to court Thursday.

The alleged incident that drove Ford to seek the order occurred during the Aug. 14 commission meeting. During multiple preceding meetings, Lowery, who was commission chair at the time, said that the commission would be recessing every two hours for the sake of staff. Lowery has called a recess at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at previous meetings, but Ford questioned if the recess was called because of staff, or if it was to put a break in a contentious debate for the next chairman.

After the vote for both chairman and vice-chair during the Aug. 14 meeting, Lowery announced the commission would enter into a 10-minute recess. Ford questioned Lowery’s call for a recess as it was not yet 5 p.m.

Lowery said that it was nearing the set time for the recess, announced weeks ago through a memo, but Ford said that during past meetings the recess would start at 5:30 p.m.

"We are in recess," Lowrey then said into his microphone. Ford then replied to Lowery saying: “Basically I was right.“

After Ford’s comment, Lowery responded by saying Ford should not speak "out of turn," and then shut off his microphone.

After the on-mic exchange, Lowery then said he could remove Ford from the meeting with "nine votes" as they stood next to each other. Ford walked into a backroom after the exchange, while Lowery stayed in the commission chambers.

During the Aug. 28 meeting, Ford said during end of meeting announcements that an "alleged assault almost happened," but did not explain further.

Ford and Lowery were not immediately available for comment.

Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at (901) 484-6225, brooke.muckerman@commercialappeal.com and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter @Brookemuckerman.