Correction The original version of this story misstated the name of the police chief in 2006. The article should have listed Steve Parks as the police chief at the time.

An officer with the Chattanooga Police Department says his discipline of a 30-day unpaid suspension for firing his weapon at a fleeing vehicle is too harsh, claiming he shot in self-defense.

On Wednesday, police Chief Fred Fletcher sustained a finding of "improper use of force -- discharge of a firearm," and handed Officer Alex Olson the maximum suspension allowed by Chattanooga city code. The next day, Olson's attorneys, Davis & Hoss P.C., released a statement saying they will fight to reverse the chief's decision.

Alex Olson

Discipline for CPD policy violations is not uncommon, but officers say the level can vary. In 2006, under former police Chief Steve Parks, Officer Karl Fields received a 14-day unpaid suspension from CPD after he pleaded guilty to an off-duty DUI.

In Olson's case, an in-car camera documents his use of the weapon after Luster Deloney, 20, crashed his vehicle backward into Olson's patrol car on a dead-end road and drove away. Olson, who was outside the cruiser, fired four shots at the fleeing car.

Document Alex Olson statement View

In his letter suspending Olson, Fletcher said the officer's use of deadly force violated CPD policy, as neither his nor anyone else's life was in immediate danger.

The statement from Davis & Hoss said CPD should "prosecute the violent criminals, not persecute the officers who arrest them."

Fletcher said Thursday he stands by his decision, but he also supports Olson's appeal 100 percent under the officer's right to due process.

"I don't consider this pushing back," Fletcher said. "... He has been disciplined -- and disciplined to the extent allowed by law -- so what's the risk for an officer to appeal a decision?"

Document Officer Alex Olsen suspended for improper use of force View

If Olson appeals, his case will be heard by a state administrative law judge who will determine whether the decision and discipline are reasonable, Fletcher said.

The attorneys say in the statement that Olson made a split-second decision to use force against a suspect who was trying to evade him in a car. They say Deloney was eventually charged with aggravated assault of an officer, and that the Fraternal Order of Police and many veteran members of CPD support Olson's decision to fire his weapon.

A spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police declined to comment Thursday, saying the organization would defer to Olson's attorney.

The FOP did confirm that Olson is a member and the group is paying for his attorney.

Chattanooga police Officer Curtis Penney created an account at gofundme.com, a popular crowdfunding website, to help support Olson during his unpaid suspension.

Penney declined to comment Thursday, citing CPD policy restricting comments to media. The website says any donated money will help Olson and his family pay bills and put food on the table during the next month.

"It is not our intention to place judgment against the administration of the Chattanooga Police Department," Penney writes. "Our goal is to simply help a brother in blue that is in financial need."

By Thursday evening, the fund had raised $3,930, with 73 donors contributing.

Fletcher said Olson is well-respected by his peers and supervisors.

"We value him in the department, and that is why he will be welcomed back when his suspension is over," Fletcher said.

"We will provide any of the support that he needs to come back from this incident and be a safe, productive and helpful officer."

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.

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