McMinn County Sheriff Steve Frisbee
presents a $500 scholarship from the
Tennessee Sheriff's Association to
Ciara Danielle Frisbee.

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Mt. Juliet News
By Laurie Everett
Managing Editor

Ashe named Wilsonian of the Year

Paid tribute as a Wilson County native, Purple Heart recipient and longest serving sheriff in Wilson County, Terry Ashe was named Wilsonian of the Year by the Mt. Juliet West Wilson Chamber at their annual Awards Banquet and Installation Dinner held at Pine Creek Golf Club Thursday evening.

Ashe, who has been Wilson County sheriff for nearly three decades, graciously accepted the award that is given each year to someone who is "actively involved in the well being of Wilson County citizens." Ashe appeared touched at the recognition and said he was "honored and humbled" to receive the award. "I love Wilson County and its people. It is a privilege to serve," Ashe said.

Ashe received the award at the event that drew at least 140 chamber members and he was given a rousing round of applause. Pastor Chuck Groover of Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet held the crowd in suspense as he eloquently led up to announcing this year¹s Wilsonian of the Year. He talked of a man who was a "paper carrier at age ten and has not stopped working since."

Groover also told attendees the Wilsonian recipient entered law enforcement in 1972 and served honorably in Vietnam and later in the Tennessee National Guard.

A surprise award for Ashe, he soon was given clue he was the recipient when Groover told everyone the person honored with this year¹s award earned three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and also received two Presidential Citations. During the tribute, Groover also mentioned Ashe was the longest serving sheriff in Wilson County and is the first sheriff in the state of Tennessee to serve on the Governor¹s Juvenile Justice Committee.

"The Wilsonian of the Year is a very prestigious award that the Chamber bestows on a individual who exemplifies multi-jurisdictional cooperation, promotes economic development, actively supports Chamber of Commerce activities and helps make the community a desirable place to live, work and play," Mt. Juliet Chamber President Mark Hinesley said. He noted Ashe was the perfect recipient. "Terry Ashe is very deserving," he said. "This year¹s award was given to him because he is a hard working public servant who we not only call Wilson County sheriff, but also a true friend of Wilson County. Therefore, he is this year¹s Wilsonian of the Year."

Also during the event that included a lavish dinner, Linda Salts was inducted as 2008 Board Chair to replace outgoing Chair Luke Winchester. Hale Moss was honored with the evening¹s other prestigious Paul Bauman Award.

Mt. Juliet News Managing Editor Laurie Everett can be reached at 754-6397 or by e-mail at mtjulietnews@tds.net

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Monday, August 13, 2007
Knoxville News Sentinel
By Matt Lakin

Sheriff gears up for additional position

In more than 30 years of law enforcement, Jefferson County Sheriff David Davenport estimates he’s seen police work from nearly every angle.

“I’ve been lucky,” he said. “It’s been a series of challenges all along the way.”

Davenport, who turns 60 this year, took on a new challenge last month when his colleagues from around the state elected him president of the Tennessee Sheriffs Association.

He expects to spend the next year helping coordinate training for officers and working as an advocate on legislation and issues facing law enforcement in Tennessee’s 95 counties.

“Something’s always going on where the sheriffs need a spokesman,” he said. “Everybody’s dealing with budget crunches. Almost every sheriff you talk to is dealing with a hostile county commission. There’s just so much of the pie to go around.”

Those budget shortfalls usually translate to shrinking ranks of deputies facing ever-growing pressures, Davenport said.

“We’re going to have to get competitive with what we pay our people,” he said. “When we give a man a gun and a badge, put him on the street and only give him $18,000 per year, something’s wrong. They have to make snap decisions that affect people’s lives. One of my things is going to be trying to provide better salaries and benefits for our law enforcement officers.”

Davenport grew up in Knox County, where he graduated from Young High School in 1964. He later served in the Air Force as a military policeman and graduated from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City in 1974 with a degree in criminal justice.

His classmates there included Jimmy Dunn, now chief prosecutor for the 4th Judicial District, which includes Jefferson County.

Davenport spent seven years as a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper before joining the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He worked in the bureau’s Johnson City office, then transferred to Knoxville.

He spent his first day here helping investigate a bank robbery in Kodak in which the robbers killed four people.

Davenport’s work, which has included more than 100 homicide cases, earned him various honors, including being named the TBI Criminal Division’s agent of the year in 1997. He retired from the TBI after being elected sheriff in 1998, but the high-profile cases didn’t drop off.

Just last year, Davenport and his officers made headlines and newscasts around the country after capturing Jerry Buck Inman, a convicted sex offender wanted in the strangling of Clemson University student Tiffany Souers.

The sheriff said he’s looking forward to the next year as association president.

“It’s an honor, and I’m going to be active,” he said.

Matt Lakin may be reached at 865-342-6306.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Area sheriff puts out a warning for anyone with a telephone
  Advice could protect hard-earned cash

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 - 04:42 PM
Washington County Sheriff's Department

Washington County , Tennessee Sheriff Ed Graybeal wants to alert the public that he does not have anyone soliciting money for any purpose whatsoever.

Someone in his area is misrepresenting themselves as a fundraiser for the Washington County Sheriff's Office.  They are asking local businesses for monetary donations to purchase bullet-proof vests for Washington County officers.  Sheriff Graybeal states that he does provide mandatory equipment for all of the officers at Washington County Sheriff's Office without donations from the public.

If you have any questions concerning this matter please contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 461-1414.

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Unicoi Sheriff Kent Harris' dedication
  From the Johnson City Press

"Town Recorder Randy Trivette and his administrative assistant, Janice Metcalf, felt proud about the long hours they spent one night putting the final touches on Erwin's budget. 

"But as they prepared to head to their homes to get a few hours of sleep before returning to work, a familiar voice came across the police scanner in the office. The level of dedication to their jobs that they showed that night had been topped by the man well-known for being on duty well into the night.  Unicoi County

"Sheriff Kent Harris was on the prowl. While most department heads are fast asleep, it is common for this public official to be still in the thick of police activity."

  Click here to read the full article
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Dedication & Open House

Join Sheriff David Davenport and his department for the dedication of the new Jefferson County Justice Center. This is a community event and a tour of the facility will follow the dedication.

The Jefferson County citizens can take great pride in this facility because of the combined efforts, commitment and hard work of many.

WHAT:     Dedication & Open House of the Jefferson County Justice Center
WHEN:    Saturday February 3, 2007 10:00 AM to Noon
WHERE:  Jefferson County Justice Center
               765 Justice Center Drive
               Dandridge, TN 37725
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Tennessee's longest serving sheriffs: Sheriff Terry Ashe (Wilson) and Sheriff Mike Wilson (Weakley) were each sworn in for the 7th consecutive time.  Both were first elected in 1982.
 

Right: Sheriff Mike Wilson of Weakley
County being sworn in by
Chancellor Mike Malone.