By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Nashville, Tenn. – Several area law enforcement agencies were recognized with top awards from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, with the Benton Co. Sheriff’s Office receiving this year’s SAFE campaign vehicle.
Benton Co. Sheriff Kenny Christopher said, “I believe all our hard work we have put into the Sheriff’s Department is finally paying off. This vehicle will be put to good use to serve the people of Benton County. I feel like this was a God send to our department and our department deserves this. Thank you everyone and please keep supporting the Sheriff’s Department here in Benton County. God Bless.”
He noted that a drawing was held at the 2018 Lifesaver Conference in Murfreesboro. “This drawing consisted of several door prizes and two fully outfitted, completely equipped 2018 Dodge Chargers. Benton County has participated in the Highway Safety program over the last few years and Sergeant Dan Clark has been over the program for our department.”
Both the sheriff and Sgt. Clark attended this conference. Benton Co. and nine others were selected for the vehicle drawing. Ten sets of keys were placed in a bowl. Sgt. Clark went on stage with the other qualifiers.
The selected agencies on stage took turns seeing which of the keys would match the car.
“Benton County lucked up and has been awarded this TOTALLY free top of the line vehicle,” Christopher said. “The car includes 360 camera system, radar, locking gun racks, rear sensors, and all lighting and computer equipment. This vehicle is estimated with equipment at approximately 45,000 This is such a win for our county and department to obtain this vehicle at no cost.”
In the category of departments with ten officers or less, the Dresden Police Department came in second place, while Dover came in third place. In the category departments with 26-45 officers, the Martin Police Department placed first.
On Friday, September 7, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office recognized 47 law enforcement agencies during its 14th Annual Law Enforcement Challenge.
This year, 56 Law Enforcement Challenge applications were submitted: 18 from West Tennessee, 15 from East Tennessee, 14 from Middle Tennessee, nine from the Cumberland Region, and one submission from each of the Tennessee Highway Patrol districts.
In the category of ten officers or less, the Dresden Police Department came in second place, while Dover came in third place. In the category of 26-45 officers, the Martin Police Department placed first.
Award winners are listed as follows. For more information, please visit www.tnlifesaverschallenge.com.
1-10 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Benton Police Department • 2 nd Place: Dresden Police Department • 3 rd Place: Dover Police Department
11-25 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Bolivar Police Department • 2 nd Place: White House Police Department • 3 rd Place: Belle Meade Police Department
26-45 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Martin Police Department • 2 nd Place: Brownsville Police Department • 3 rd Place: Crossville Police Department
46-75 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Bartlett Police Department • 2 nd Place: Tipton County Sheriff’s Office • 3 rd Place: Maryville Police Department
76-100 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Sumner County Sheriff’s Office • 2 nd Place: Gallatin Police Department
101-200 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Kingsport Police Department • 2nd Place: Collierville Police Department • 2 nd Place: Madison County Sheriff’s Office • 3 rd Place: Blount County Sheriff’s Office
201-500 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office • 2 nd Place: Clarksville Police Department • 3 rd Place: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
501 – 1,000 Officers Category • 1 st Place: Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
1,001+ Officers Category • 1 st Place: Memphis Police Department • 2 nd Place: Metro Nashville Police Department
Tennessee Highway Patrol Districts Category • 1 st Place: District 5 – Fall Branch • 2 nd Place: District 4 – Memphis • 3 rd Place: District 1 – Knoxville
Military Police Category • 1 st Place: Fort Campbell Police
SAFE Campaign Vehicle • Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Photo by Benton Co. Sheriff’s Office.
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