THP Participates in Security for Inaugural
Friday, January 23, 2009 | 10:52am
NASHVILLE --- Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol returned Wednesday after assisting the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. (MPD) and federal agencies during the Presidential Inauguration. The THP was one of 90 state and local law enforcement agencies who combined to provide security as part of the joint operation mission of the Presidential Inauguration Task Force (PITF) in Washington, D.C. from January 15, 2009 to January 21, 2009.
“The Tennessee Highway Patrol was honored to participate in this historic event to help promote the safety of the President of the United States, inaugural participants, and the public,” said Colonel Mike Walker. “All Tennesseans should be deeply proud of the many positive comments expressed about our Troopers for their professionalism in serving their country in the nation’s capital.”
Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier requested assistance from the THP in June of 2008. Troopers were selected from all eight THP districts across the state and were assigned to the Washington, D.C. Convention Center to provide perimeter security for six inaugural balls. Troopers were sworn-in as deputies of the U.S. Marshal Service to have necessary law enforcement authority and used their assigned state vehicle as part of the Presidential Inauguration Task Force operation. The THP agreed to provide the full-time services of 40 members of the Highway Patrol consistent with agency procedures. Under a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reimbursement for the cost, including personnel costs, salaries, overtime and fringe benefits will be made by the District of Columbia, with funds provided by the United States.
The PITF was a joint operation in which all agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department of District of Columbia, Office of the United States Attorney for District of Columbia, United States Marshal Service, United States Secret Service, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, and other law enforcement agencies served as partners.
A complete list of the THP members who provided security for the Presidential Inauguration Task Force (PITF) in Washington, D.C. is provided below. Photos of Individual Troopers are available upon request.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL
Inauguration 2009
Lieutenant Lee Chaffin, Special Operations Commander
Lieutenant Richard Cash, Nashville District
Lieutenant Danny Talley, Fall Branch District
Sergeant Terrell Johnson, Office of Professional Responsibility
Sergeant Jerry Rush, Training Center
Sergeant Jimmie Johnson, Memphis District
Sergeant James Sells, Cookeville District
Trooper Ehrin Ehlert, Research, Planning & Development
Trooper Joshua Brown, Research, Planning & Development
Trooper Brandon Douglas, CVE Administration
Trooper Christopher Dye, Training Center
Trooper Jeffery Buchanan, Special Operations
Trooper Shawn Boyd, Nashville District
Trooper Alan Leverette, Nashville District
Trooper John Grinder, Nashville District
Trooper William Butler, Memphis District
Trooper Michael Bolton, Memphis District
Trooper Chris Shoemake, Memphis District
Trooper Patrick Turner, Lawrenceburg District
Trooper Steven Karpati, Lawrenceburg District
Trooper Stephen Ellis, Lawrenceburg District
Trooper David Hill, Jackson District
Trooper Kenny Ganaway, Jackson District
Trooper Kenny Lamberth, Jackson District
Trooper Joseph Armstrong, Jackson District
Trooper Jason Page, Jackson District
Trooper Kelly Smith, Knoxville District
Trooper Howard Greenlee, Knoxville District
Trooper Eric Miller, Knoxville District
Trooper Richard Conatser, Knoxville District
Trooper William Billy Collins, Chattanooga District
Trooper John David Cochran, Chattanooga District
Trooper William Pat Paterson, Chattanooga Branch District
Trooper Robert Greer, Fall Branch District
Trooper Greg Marlowe, Fall Branch District
Trooper Travis Raines, Fall Branch District
Trooper Billy Pierce, Cookeville District
Trooper Donald Dewayne Jennings, Cookeville District
Trooper Christopher Adams, Cookeville District