About Eddie Farris
DISTINGUISHED LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE
Born and raised here in Putnam County, I have strong ties to our community and our values. From being a member of the Cookeville High School baseball and football teams with a full scholarship in both sports. I chose to play baseball at East Tennessee State University and was selected as Captain of the team. Upon graduating, I signed a minor league basaeball free agency contract to play Single A baseball. I have always sought to excel at doing my best and representing Putnam County to its fullest and there has been no greater honor than being elected and serving as Sheriff of Putnam County.
In 1987 I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University (ETSU). In 1989, I began my law enforcement career as a Deputy with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Jerry Abston. Having demonstrated unique leadership abilities, I was promoted to the role of Jail Administrator in 1993 where I led and directed the daily operations of the Putnam County Jail.
From 1995 To 2014 I accepted the opportunity to advance my law enforcement career by becoming a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigations Division and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. During my tenure with the State, I was noted for initiating and working on an array of high-profile investigations, e.g., murder for hire, narcotics, auto theft, public corruption and various large-scale fraud cases. Much of the work I performed was done alongside the FBI, DEA, and ATF in an undercover/covert capacity. I also served as a mentor and instructor for newly assigned undercover agents as well as a firearms instructor.
In 2010, I became a certified law enforcement firearms instructor and ultimately an armorer. As part of my long-standing focus on training personnel, I put forth a commitment to develop and implement the Sheriff’s Office’s first Firearms and Training Center. In March 2023 the County Commission recognized the efforts and dedicated the training center.
In 2000, I was nominated and selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Session #200. FBI National Academy members make up the highest 1% of all senior law enforcement in the world, making it the Best of the Best, and an honor to attend. This 10-week training program provides advanced studies in law enforcement leadership and only 1,000 leaders worldwide attend it each year. Since becoming Sheriff, I have successfully nominated four members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to attend and advance their leadership skills.
Elected to the Office of Sheriff in 2014, I have led the Office to one that is now recognized as one of the best in the State of Tennessee and some would say the Country. I have continually been recognized by my fellow Sheriffs as one of the top law enforcement leadership professionals and an example of one that upholds the highest law enforcement standards. In 2021 because of proven leadership, I was elected by my peers to be the President of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association.
As Sheriff of Putnam County, I continue to be involved in various community advisory groups such as the Putnam County Beer Board and the Putnam County Republican Party. I have also been appointed to the State Advisory Committee on Open Government as well as continuing to pursue legislative changes as a Board member of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, that would be in the best interest of Putnam County as well as law enforcement state-wide.
Since being elected and having the honor to serve as your Putnam County Sheriff, I have committed my efforts to ensure that Putnam County remains a top community to grow, raise, and establish a family. We have always been a safe community with strong values. I have demonstrated a commitment to keeping Putnam County safe yesterday, today, and tomorrow.