Dear Chief:

 

On 19 December 2011 at approximately 1pm in front of my brother's and mother's farm on John Bragg Road, my mother was in an automobile accident. Two vehicles were totaled in this wreck. She was injured badly enough for the EMTs to have her air lifted to Vanderbilt Trauma Center in Nashville directly from the scene.

 

I am a registered nurse (class '71 MTSU) employed by the US Army at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) and am Chief Nurse in Southern Command Texas State Guard. I know we do not thank the people in our professions often enough for the work we see them do well. That is why I am writing this letter, I wish to thank all the first responders for the excellent job they did that day evaluating and stabilizing my mom. Everyone deserves the highest of kudos! They all were very professional and very thorough, but most of all, very caring.

 

I wish to mention these Individuals by name and ask that you personally thank them for my family and me:

 

Kittrell Fire Dept. EMTs: Cory Daniel, William Groce, Dillion Pruitt, Bud Mitchell
Rutherford County EMS: Brent Carter, EMT-P, Dwight Stone, AD, Vernon Williams, Paramedic
Tennessee Highway Patrol: TRP Michael Morgan
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office: Deputy D. Helton, Cpl D. Foote

 

High five to each of you! I know first-hand how hard you work each and every day. I am just thankful you were working that day!

 

I also wish to say a special thanks to Cannon County Fireman, Paul Simon, who stopped his personal vehicle to render aid-you could have passed on by like many would have done-but you did not-thank you for stopping and helping!

 

Thanks goes to Mike Jones, Connie Chisam, and the other neighbor (am sorry I did not get you or your dog's name) who responded to that frightening scene that day. Thanks for your continual support and care shown to my family.

 

Sincerely,
Georgia Sauer-Jordan
William J. Jordan
Tracy B. Jordan
Robert B. Sauer
COL Richard G. Looney
LTC Elizabeth Baker

 

THP District 6

 

This is commendation for Trooper Jonathan Reed. My wife and I were traveling home to North Carolina yesterday when we experienced a vehicle breakdown on I-40. 9-1-1 connected me with the Highway Patrol, who very courteously and professionally informed me they were sending a trooper. Trooper Reed arrived a short time later and was simply great in assisting us with our problem. Trooper Reed called a tow truck for us and also inquired as to their availability to check out the vehicle on the same day. This was very important to us since we had been gone a week visiting family in Missouri and middle Tennessee, and were anxious to get back because my mother is recuperating from a broken hip. Trooper Reed graciously stayed with us until the tow truck arrived and the vehicle was loaded. Many times people's association with a state trooper is not a pleasant experience and I'm happy to tell you that Trooper Reed made the experience as pleasant as possible and was very helpful to us. I believe in giving credit where credit is due and I believe Trooper Reed is a credit to your organization.

 

Glen & Brenda Fox

 

I had been trying to earn my M endorsement for a period of time. I called the testing station several times and was present for the written and driving portions of the testing twice. Having been run through the mill at other testing centers, I didn't think the Sevier testing center would continue in person what I had already experienced over the phone. But, from the moment I walked in I was guided through the process with the utmost professionalism and human touch. They even laughed at my tired old jokes and provided me with some new material. Like clockwork I was finished before I knew it. I made my driving appointment on the internet which was too easy. On my second day I was to perform the driving portion of the motorcycle test, unfortunately on that day there was rain, rain and more rain. My tester was gracious enough to wait between rain clouds so I could finish my test. I certainly didn't expect this. A special thanks to every person that works at the Sevier County Testing Center.

 

Deputy Sheriff, Frank Margheret

 

THP District 6

 

This letter is to commend Tennessee Highway Patrol and State Trooper Eric C. McCormick for his roadside assistance to keep us safe. We, MRH Middle School, were traveling to the Great Mountain Institute at Tremont in the Smokey Mountain National Park on Mother's Day. Our Cavallo bus broke down at mm 276 on Highway 40 to Knoxville. We make this trip each year with our 7th grade class. This is not an easy trip even when things operate without any mishaps. Our lead driver was able to contact the dispatcher at Cavallo bus lines out of Illinois and they contacted Gray Lines of Nashville. During the time it took Gray Lines to arrive, Trooper McCormick parked his car behind with his lights on and helped to keep us safe from any other motorist mishaps. We want to thank Trooper McCormick for his patience and cooperation in our striving to get help for our stranded bus. He also provided us with a call for roadside assistance and local options that we could take our students to have them "play" off some of their energy. Please make sure Trooper McCormick receives our warmest thank you for his above and beyond service to us.

 

Dr. Thomas Kulla-Abbott

 

On May 7th, members of THP Knoxville participated in the funeral detail for fallen Wartburg Police Captain Ralph Braden. THP units handled traffic detail and provided motor units to escort the hearse. THP Chattanooga and Fall Branch also participated. In addition to the normal law enforcement honors given to Captain Braden I was privileged to witness & participate in a very unique occurrence. As the graveside attendees began to disperse from the ceremony I noticed there was no one to close the grave. I summoned Trooper Matthew Armes, Trooper Larry Blakney, & Trooper Scott Hines who were leaving the service. Once the Troopers were made aware of the situation, all three responded without hesitation. They immediately assisted the funeral director by lowering the casket and placing the vault. "Our Troopers" then secured their duty weapons and began to shovel dirt. These men acted in concert, rotating in and out. Next, the Troopers placed the flower arrangements on the grave site and then retrieved their duty gear. As a THP Supervisor this was one of my proudest moments. They could have easily delegated this task or left it for the family; instead our troopers chose to honor the brotherhood of law enforcement by exemplary service. I commend each of these Troopers for their effort to rise above and beyond their call of duty.

 

Sgt. Dennis Smith, THP District 1

 

I wanted to let you know about an outstanding person in the Financial Responsibility Office. Her name is Sharon Watkins. I wrote her a letter explaining my situation--an excerpt follows: "Currently, I make about $600/month. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get a better job. However, the requirement is that I have a valid Oklahoma driver's license. I know there are processes to reinstate my license, all I ask is that you expedite these procedures so I have a chance to get a better job. I can only hope that you understand my case and help me once again become productive in society." Sharon worked with me for three days, making sure all my ducks were in a row. She was kind and courteous. It was very refreshing considering the lack of customer service nowadays. Her responses to my emails were always prompt. We could all take a lesson on providing excellent customer service from Sharon.

 

Angel Brooks, VISTA Volunteer

 

I was cited for speeding by Trooper D. Jennings in Dekalb County. To say the least I was embarrassed by the situation but was proud of the professionalism exhibited by Trooper Jennings. He was polite and professional during the contact and represented himself and his department in a proper manner. Law enforcement is often portrayed in an unkind light in today's society and I am always happy to see officers demonstrate the professionalism exhibited by Trooper Jennings.

 

Chief Duane P. McGray, Ret.

 

I wanted to write and say thank you to Trooper Brian Carmouche. While traveling to the Capital I observed him change a motorist tire in the pouring rain near Waldron Road and I -24. If Tennessee had more dedicated officers like Trooper Carmouche, who are willing to go beyond the call of duty our state would be a much safer place to live, work and play.

 

Mike Sparks

 

Captain Curtis Mansfield:

 

On the evening of 14 February 2011, my wife and I were driving a rental truck north from Texas to Pennsylvania. We stopped, fortunately in error, at a weigh station because all the other trucks did ahead of us, and because we were unsure if our responsibility was to stop. The red light went on and a very calm voice instructed us to drive to the rear, we had a flat tire on the trailer.

 

It was cold and we never got the officer's name from his uniform, however in conversation we understand that Tennessee has very high standards for its officers. He was gentlemanly, courteous, informative and as friendly as one would hope every officer to be. He made our two hours waiting for a tire change as enjoyable as a cold evening on the side of the road after driving 10 hours could ever be! We were intending to go to the next exit, eat dinner and go to bed. We ate dinner, Subways we had bought when filling up, and read a little, used the 'library' facility and after the tire was changed, we parted. We were safe and had no worries largely in part to your officer.

 

We accidentally went into the weigh station, fortuitously were observed to have a tire failure, courteously treated and returned safely to the road. The system in Tennessee works very nicely and we thank you in general and the officer on duty in particular.

 

On behalf of my wife Gloria and I, thank you.

 

Jerry Gurkoff, D.O.

 

Just a "thank you" for all your work to allow us to file electronically. It is really starting to show dividends. I was informed this morning that we had a driver come in today to satisfy an outstanding citation. We used your web app to file electronically on 1/21/11 so that is ‹ 10 business days. I would like to acknowledge in particular the work of Wayne Deason in working with us and LGDPC to get the programming done. This is truly a case for "government operating to meet challenges thru innovative solutions". Thanks again for working the local governments and courts of Tennessee to make our roads safer for all of our drivers.

 

John. S. “Steve” Sims

 

Trooper Tracey Tyler arrived on the scene of an interstate accident on January 26th at 7:30 pm. Two diesel trucks were involved in an accident and our minivan was high centered on one of the diesel's tires. Upon Trooper Tyler's arrival, he showed great concern for our children. I was very impressed with his compassion, patience and professional/friendly disposition. He is a credit to the Tennessee State Troopers organization. He is the kind of Officer that serves as an example for not only all Officers, but for all the people he serves as well. I would like to recommend that he be rewarded for his great service to the people of Tennessee and all the guests who travel your interstates.

 

Todd McCauley