A cashier at an Alabama Taco Bell was fired after two Sheriff’s deputies were refused service on Saturday night.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said two deputies placed an order at the Taco Bell around 9:40 p.m. and were told by the cashier that they wouldn’t be served, the Opelika-Auburn News reported.

“They initially thought that she was joking,” Jones said. “They even asked her if she was kidding. Her response was, ‘No, I’m not. We don’t serve law enforcement, and you need to leave.’”

The officers then left the restaurant, he said.

“Taco Bell and Tacala, the franchise owner of the Phenix City Taco Bell, in no way endorse this sentiment,” a spokeswoman for Taco Bell told the News. “We are deeply appreciative of the men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect our communities.”

She also confirmed that the employee involved had been fired, and that the franchise owner has contacted the Sheriff’s Department to apologize directly to the officers, “and assure them of their ongoing support of law enforcement.”

The Sheriff said he was pleased with the response from Taco Bell HQ, but the incident concerns him.

“I’m very disappointed in the fact that simply because two individuals were wearing the uniform of a law enforcement officer that they were refused service at this establishment,” Jones said. “I would hope, and am more inclined to think, that this was the action of one person as opposed to a corporate policy or general cultural attitude of the business itself.”

Taco Bell employee fired after refusing to serve Lee County sheriff’s deputies [Opelika-Auburn News]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.