Department of Defense recognizes Hendersonville Police Department for outstanding support to military employees

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – The Hendersonville Police Department was recognized and awarded the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition an employer can receive from the Department of Defense for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves, during a ceremony at Hendersonville City Hall, August 29.

The Hendersonville Police Department was honored for their unparalleled support and longstanding commitment to military members and their families within their organization. They were nominated by Capt. Andrew Dillehay, an Army Reservist with Nashville’s 304th Military Police Battalion who has been a Hendersonville Police Officer since 2020.

“Their support has been instrumental in enabling me to continue serving,” said Dillehay. “During my numerous times away for military service, I have never had concerns regarding my position, and I have been deeply appreciative of the outreach from my supervisors and even the Chief of Police, who have personally checked in on my family in my absence.”

With a police force of more than 135 employees, the department has 15 reserve component service members, including Tennessee Army and Air National Guardsmen, as well as numerous veterans. This year, over 1,600 companies and employers from the United States’ 54 states and territories were nominated for this award. Only 15 employers were selected nationally for this honor, five of which are public sector employers, including the Hendersonville Police Department. 

This is not the first time the Hendersonville Police Department has been recognized for their support to service members. In 2010, they were nominated for the Public Sector Freedom Award and received the Extraordinary Employer Support Award in 2021 from the ESGR.

Chief James Jones, the Hendersonville Chief of Police, received the award on behalf of the department from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

“Without organizations and departments such as this, our military would not be as successful as we are,” said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “It takes partnerships, support, and being able to all work together to keep Americans safe.”