Tipton County Sheriff's Dept. gets best in nation when it comes to highway safety | News

Tipton County Sheriff’s Office has been recognized as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and in the nation for its traffic safety program. The sheriff’s office was named third in the nation in the Sheriff’s Category for its size and first in Tennessee in its category. Tipton County was named first in the nation in 2008-2009 and second in 2009-2010. It received first place honors in the state in 2008-2009, and second in 2010-2011.

The awards are presented annually as part of the Law Enforcement Challenge that includes sheriff’s offices, police departments, and highway patrol districts. It is a state and national traffic safety awards program that recognizes excellent law enforcement traffic safety programs.

The Challenge is sponsored in Tennessee by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, and nationally by the National Sheriff’s Office and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Numerous private sponsors provide support for the program. Director Kendell Poole and West Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison Brenda Jones of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office has both contributed heavily through local law enforcement agencies to the safety on our roadways.

“I am always honored and humbled to accept these awards for the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff J.T. “Pancho” Chumley. “They speak well for the men and women of this office who care so much for the safety and security of our citizens, and who put so much of themselves into their work. We are pleased to receive the awards since they are the result of careful consideration among the many law enforcement agencies who tirelessly promote traffic safety in their jurisdictions,” Sheriff Chumley said. “But one measure of our success in Tipton County must be shared with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the five city police departments. We ended 2011 with only three traffic fatalities when our average is 10 per year.”

“My goal is not to earn awards, but to save lives and suffering due to traffic crashes. Unfortunately the fatality count for Tipton County is up to five this year. The Sheriff’s Office with other law enforcement agencies in the county, and with the financial support and training provided through the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, we are able to conduct extra traffic enforcement activities throughout the year.” Sheriff Chumley concluded.