NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security hosted the Three Stars of Tennessee Award and First Responder Recognition Ceremony today. The Three Stars of Tennessee Award honors public servants who have¬¬ sacrificed their lives or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty. Governor Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee, Commissioner Jeff Long, State Senator Becky Massey (Knoxville), and Greg Mays, Director of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security joined recipients, their family members and agency representatives to honor seven recipients with the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award.”

NASHVILLE --- Commissioner Jeff Long will join Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Senator Becky Duncan Massey and state officials to honor individuals who have displayed outstanding public safety in their communities. The “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” will be presented to the families of seven courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for Tennesseans. State officials will also honor first responders who work tirelessly to secure the safety of Tennessee citizens.

NASHVILLE – On September 2nd, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry pinned 10 Tennessee State Troopers, and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long administered the oath of office. Below is a list of members of Trooper Cadet Class #921, and the counties they will be assigned to.

NASHVILLE – In an effort to help citizens directly impacted by the devastating flash flooding across the state earlier this month, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS) Driver Services division has deployed a mobile unit to issue duplicate or photo identification licenses.

MEMPHIS--- On August 18, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Trooper Rico Mazique was dispatched to a crash that occurred on Highway 57 and Slayden Road in Moscow, Tennessee. Once on scene, Trooper Mazique identified the driver as Kylaih Jones, 21, and a 20-year-old female passenger, both from Moscow, Tennessee. The Trooper’s investigation revealed that Jones was previously driving recklessly before failing to maintain control of the vehicle. As a result, Jones crashed the vehicle into an embankment along Highway 57.

NASHVILLE – In an effort to help citizens directly impacted by the devastating flash flooding across the state, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS) Driver Services division has deployed a mobile unit to issue duplicate or photo identification licenses. A Driver Services mobile unit will be stationed at McEwen High School, 335 Melrose Street, McEwen, Tennessee from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CST August 24-27. Future dates and locations will be determined based on need. No services will be issued from the mobile unit to the general public during this time, only flood victims.

NASHVILLE –- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is currently accepting applications for our next cadet class, which starts in January 2022. If you are looking for a career that affords you opportunities to achieve your goals, then the THP is where you belong. We are a multi-faceted, fullservice, statewide law enforcement agency that has numerous divisions. The THP is a national leader in law enforcement and is internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

NASHVILLE--- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to maintain accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.

TENNESSEE – Everyone in Tennessee knows the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has the best-looking state highway patrol vehicle in the nation. Now we need your help to make that official! THP is competing in the “2021 Best-Looking Cruiser Contest.” State highway patrols and state police organizations from across the country are competing for the top spot. The winner will be presented with the “Best-Looking Cruiser Award” and featured on the cover of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best-Looking Cruisers 2022 wall calendar. The calendar will be available for purchase at www.statetroopers.org beginning October 1, 2021. Calendar sales will benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of member troopers.

Due to an increase in fatalities and aggressive driving in Hamilton County, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Chattanooga district led a multi-jurisdiction enforcement campaign to address impaired driving and violent crimes over the Independence Day holiday period. The multi- jurisdiction team operation covered three evenings for a total of 24-hours.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) will conduct a variety of traffic safety initiatives and utilize data-driven enforcement strategies during the Fourth of July holiday period to help reduce serious injury and fatal crashes across the state. The traffic safety campaign will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, and conclude at 5:59 a.m. Tuesday, July 6.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) plans to increase patrols and utilize a variety of traffic safety enforcement tools to reduce the number of serious injury and fatal crashes across the state during this year’s Memorial Day holiday period. The THP will conduct saturation patrols, seat belt and sobriety checkpoints, as well as increased visibility on high-crash corridors throughout the summer to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes.

On May 4, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Chattanooga District responded to a BOLO from the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) that their troopers were in pursuit of a stolen Rolls-Royce out of Georgia. THP Sergeant David McVey observed the stolen vehicle speeding at 177 mph on I-24 WB in Marion County, Tennessee. The stolen vehicle then passed a Porsche 944 and caused the driver of the Porsche to crash into the rear of the Rolls-Royce. Both vehicles pulled to the shoulder of I-24 at the 127 mm, where two males exited the Rolls-Royce and attempted to physically remove or carjack the driver of the Porsche. During the altercation, a semi-automatic pistol was presented by one of the suspects.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will permanently close the Centennial Express Driver Services Center located at 6604 Centennial Boulevard in Nashville, Tennessee. Due to the expiration of the lease and future demolition of the building, the center will permanently close effective May 3, 2021. The department is actively searching for a new location to serve customers.

On April 23, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) responded to a BOLO of a hit-and-run driver on I-40 in Putnam County. It was reported that the fleeing driver allegedly shot at another vehicle in an apparent road rage incident.