When I took office in 2014, I identified areas that needed improvement. With the help of my experienced Command Staff, we were able to create the best Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee. In the past 11+ years we have:

Updated countless systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.  I believe the citizens of Putnam County deserve the highest level of safety and security, but we are also very mindful of fiscal constraints.  Our deputies are now equipped with the latest resources and tools that enable them to protect and serve our great community, e.g., vehicles, body armor, body cameras, firearms, and training.  A challenge with any growing community is traffic flow and management.  In response to this, I have started the first Sheriff’s Office Motor / Traffic Unit.  Additional resources that have been obtained, that benefit our community, would be our aviation unit, where we now have a helicopter and several drones.

Technology plays an important role in many aspects of the Sheriff’s Office, from our Dispatch Unit, SWAT, Information Technology, Jail operations, Investigations, Patrol and Dispatch.  As Sheriff, I have directed my command staff to undertake upgrading systems that have enhanced the safety of our deputies as well as the public.  Following our multi-year plans, I have worked within the budgetary process to systematically update many of our core systems.  The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has grown to meet the needs of our growing community, and we are one of the largest County service agencies in Putnam County.  As Sheriff, I will ensure we continue to stay at the forefront of technology to meet the needs of our growing community, and I promise to continuing improving the safety of Putnam County tomorrow. 

STRONG PROVEN FISCAL CONSERVATIVE

• Returned millions of budgeted funds back to the general fund due to savings
• Prepared, submitted, and presented budgets that align with our multiyear plans, growth of our
  County, and ensuring the safety and security of Putnam County residents is a priority
• Initiated and Awarded Millions in Federal and State Grants for equipment and personnel
  expenses
• Utilized and attained millions in Federal surplus equipment from the 1033 program at no cost
  to the citizens of Putnam County
• Ten plus years of clean audits as certified by the State of Tennessee Comptroller’s Office
• Partnerships and participating with Federal and State Task Forces for overtime
  reimbursements

TRAINING, CERTIFICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Designed, developed and built the Sheriff’s Office first Training Center and Firearm’s Range
  at no cost to taxpayers
• Developed and implemented the first and only Reality Based Scenario Training Center in the
  Region for deputies to experience real life scenarios in a controlled environment
• Worked with Federal and State partners to attend and get certified from various leadership
  training programs including the prestigious FBI National Academy
• Developed and instructed State approved management and leadership training classes for all
  first line supervisors and middle managers
• Implemented an educational incentive program for employees to pursue their education

COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM & ACCREDITATION

Sheriff’s Office accreditation is voluntary but under my leadership, and my high standards for all
employees to “be the best”, we took on the task to be accredited. This process aligns our
policies, procedures, and operations with a set of established professional, national and state-

level standards. Upon becoming Sheriff, I initiated the process to become the State of
Tennessee’s 4th accredited Sheriff’s Office. In 2017 The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
attained certification, and we continued to get re-certified every four years and still maintain this
high level of standards. I am proud to say that this “stamp of approval” demonstrates my
commitment to excellence, accountability, and modern, best practice policing.
TLEA Accreditation

At my direction, our Jail staff began the process to achieve the highest levels of certification. In
2021 our Jail staff completed the process to start being accredited. In 2023, under my
leadership the effort to achieve TCI Tier II was completed. Our jail was also able to become
PREA compliant and certified for the first time ever. TCI Accreditation | PREA

Accreditation helps protect the Sheriff’s Office by ensuring policies are legally defensible,
properly documented, and consistently applied.