TDOS/THP Promotes Six Officers

Nashville, Tennessee — The Tennessee Department of Safety announced the promotions of six dedicated members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.  The promotion ceremony was held Thursday, February 21, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., at the THP Training Center located at 275 Stewarts Ferry Pike in Nashville.

Commissioner Dave Mitchell, Colonel Mike Walker and members of THP’s Command Staff presented rank advancements to the following members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol:

Lieutenant Thomas A. Fyke has been a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol for more than 10 years.  He began his career in the Memphis District in 1997.  The following year, he was transferred to the Executive Protection Detail in Nashville.  In May, 2002, Fyke advanced to the position of Sergeant with the Governor’s Security Detail.  He is the son of retired State Trooper Bobby Fyke and currently lives in his hometown of Clarksville. Fyke and his wife, Kay, have two children.

Christy Osborne has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Fall Branch District.  Osborne began her career with the THP in 1994 as a Trooper assigned to Roane County in the Knoxville District.  Two years later, she transferred to the Fall Branch District and, since 2004, she has served as a Road Trooper in Hawkins County. While with THP, Osborne has served as a reconstructionist, a radar and DUI enforcement instructor and a field training officer.  She and her husband, Trooper David Osborne, Jr., have a four-year old son and currently live in Kingsport, TN.

Sergeant Mark Azbill is a 12-year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and has been assigned to Henderson County since graduating from the training academy in 1996.  Azbill is certified in Level I and Level VI commercial vehicle enforcement and served as a member of the Jackson District Criminal Interdiction Team.  He also served in the United States Air Force for seven years.  Azbill resides in Wildersville, TN with his wife, Fina, and their two young children.

Jacob Blackwell, a member of the Highway Patrol since 1998, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Blackwell started with THP as a dispatcher for the Nashville District.  In 2000, he graduated from the Training Academy and served in Bedford County before being transferred to Dickson County.  In September, 2007, Blackwell was named 3rd District Evidence Custodian.  He is from Mt. Juliet and currently lives with his family in Dickson.

Sergeant William Barry Siler has been promoted to Sergeant for the Jackson District.  Siler began his career with THP in 1994, serving Madison County.  In 2006, he was transferred to Chester County.  Siler is from Silerton, TN.  He and his wife, Sheila, currently reside in Bolivar and have three daughters: Kirsten, Brittney and Ashley.

Ricky D. Smith has advanced to the rank of Sergeant in the Tennessee Highway Patrol.  He started his career with the Department of Safety as a Capital Police Officer in 1991.  That same year, Smith transferred to the Highway Patrol as a Trooper.  He has served as a member of Special Operations during the Olympics and as the Law Enforcement Liaison to Homeland Security.  Other than his time serving at the State Capital, Smith has been assigned to Rutherford County.  He is from Cleveland, TN, and currently lives in Murfreesboro.

Photographs of the Officers promoted are available upon request.