No Shopping Allowed

No sheriff or deputy may purchase, either directly or indirectly, any property for sale under process of law, i.e., from a sheriff’s sale. Any such purchase shall be absolutely void.  T.C.A. § 8-8-206. Interestingly enough, the prohibition applies to sheriffs but to no other law enforcement officers or agencies. Additionally, an officer cannot bid at his own execution sale even if the bid is placed purely for the benefit of a third party. Chambers v. State, 22 Tenn. 237 (1842).