Nashville, Tenn.—McKenzie Native Lt. Col. Dereck Stewart has been named the Colonel and new leader of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Stewart is the first African-American who has headed the THP.
At a ceremony outside the Tennessee Tower in downtown Nashville, Governor Bill Haslam said, “It’s always worth it to notice when history gets made. Soon-to-be Col. Stewart is the very first African-American to lead this organization, but that’s not why we promoted him. We promoted him because he is the best, most qualified, and has the right track record. We’re thrilled to get to make this appointment.
Stewart replaces Colonel Tracy Trott, who will retire after 40 years of service on May 31, 2018. Stewart will assume the role of Colonel and THP head on June 1.
“It has been an honor to work with Colonel Trott for the past eight years, and I credit him for not only making our roadways safer but for transforming the THP into one of the strongest state law enforcement agencies in the country,” said Haslam. “I am confident that Dereck Stewart will continue to build upon those strengths. He has led many of the highway patrol’s major safety and administrative initiatives, and as colonel he will continue to help make Tennessee even safer in the years to come.”
Stewart is a 1983 graduate of McKenzie High School. He is the son of the late Reverend James Stewart, pastor of Greater Enon Baptist Church, and Ollie Faye Stewart.
Lt. Colonel Stewart is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session #230), the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, the Executive Leadership Institute, the FBI National Executive Institute (Session #39), and the prestigious Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Stewart is married to Cynthia and has two children, Jada and Dereck II.
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