Tennessee Highway Patrol Names New Captain Over Training Division

NASHVILLE --- Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott today announced the promotion of Robert Bighem to the rank of Captain, overseeing the agency’s Training Division. The promotion for Bighem, who was a lieutenant on the Training Center staff, is effective immediately. 

Bighem replaces Captain Don Nicholson, who is retiring after 34 years with the THP.  He had served as captain over the Training Center since 2006.   

Captain Bighem has worked in the THP’s Training Center for the past 17 years. He began his career as a road trooper with the highway patrol in 1977. Prior to becoming a state trooper, Bighem served as a police officer for the Martin Police Department, where he earned an award of merit for outstanding performance and service for the city of Martin.  

“Robert has been a positive fixture at the Training Center for many years. He has become the ‘heart and soul’ of that division and his passion to provide the best training experience for all of our employees is constantly evident. I know that our training program will not miss a beat with our new captain at the helm,” Colonel Trott said.

Bighem holds numerous instructor certifications, including, driving track, DUI, traffic incident management, verbal judo and respectful work place. He is also a specialized instructor in the areas of pursuit driving, defensive tactics and trooper cadet training.  

He is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police and Staff Command, which holds their classes at the THP Training Center.

Bighem will oversee his first THP Cadet School scheduled to start February 1, 2015.

He is married to Marie and they have two daughters Robin Bighem & Aimee (Stephan) Butler and four granddaughters Laila, Taylor, Kendal and Kaitlyn.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.