If the ordering is indeed the alter_msg, then I would create another table to define the sorting method. Hard coding each possibility could quickly become a nightmare! :w00t:

Here is a solution with an additional table thrown in:

DECLARE @Table TABLE

(minv_code INT,

alert_msg varchar(10),

alert_time Datetime)

DECLARE @SortOrder TABLE

(

Sort_id int,

alert_msg varchar(10)

)

INSERT INTO @Table VALUES

(873939, 'Reverse', '7/24/2015 3:31:18'),

(873939, 'Tamper', '7/24/2015 3:30:00'),

(873939, 'Meter', '7/24/2015 3:31:22'),

(873940, 'Reverse', '7/24/2015 3:30:00'),

(873940, 'Tamper', '7/24/2015 3:31:22')

INSERT INTO @SortOrder VALUES

(1, 'Meter'),

(2, 'Tamper'),

(3, 'Reverse')

select *

from @Table t

inner join @SortOrder s on s.alert_msg = t.alert_msg

order by t.minv_code, s.sort_id