Newsroom

NASHVILLE – Today, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security hosted the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” and First Responder Recognition Ceremony. 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. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long, Tennessee State Senator Becky Massey (Knoxville), and Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Director Greg Mays joined recipients, family members, and agency representatives to honor 14 recipients with the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award.”

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will permanently close the West Knox Driver Services Center, located at 430 Montbrook Lane in Knoxville, at 5:00 p.m. September 14. A new Driver Services Center located at 209 Gore Road SW in Knoxville will open on September 19. Regular business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

NASHVILLE --- On September 1, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long swore in the newest members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). THP cadet class 922 is composed of prior certified law enforcement officers. Of the nine graduates, five were prior out-of-state troopers/state police (Alaska, California, two from Louisiana, and Washington). The other graduates were former THP troopers who rejoined the Tennessee Highway Patrol. THP cadet class 922 completed five weeks of specialized training, which builds upon their training and experience received as prior law enforcement officers. The new troopers will continue training with troopers who are classified as field training officers.

NASHVILLE- On August 23, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department suffered a heartbreaking loss. Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Sergeant Lee Russell of the THP Aviation Division and Marion County Sheriff’s Department Detective Matt Blansett were conducting an aerial mission in the Chattanooga area when the helicopter they were operating crashed in a wooded area of Marion County. We are saddened to report that both men lost their lives while serving the people of Tennessee on this mission.

NASHVILLE--- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) is pleased to announce that more than 18,000 Tennessee teenagers between 15-17 years old have taken the driver’s license knowledge test online since it became an option three months ago on May 16, 2022! The test may be administered in the comfort of your own home 24/7 which offers convenient hours that don’t interfere with work or school.

CHATTANOOGA– The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is accepting applications for the Chattanooga Citizens’ Academy. The first class starts on September 27 and graduates November 8. Weekly sessions are on Tuesdays and run from 5:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. CST. The academy is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness of THP and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Citizens will receive hands-on instruction and training from state troopers and other department personnel throughout the academy. Classes will be at the Region 2 Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) office.

MEMPHIS – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is accepting applications for the Memphis Citizens’ Academy. The first class starts on September 20, and ends November 1. Weekly sessions run from 5:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. CST. The academy is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness of THP and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Citizens will receive hands-on instruction and training from state troopers and other department personnel throughout the academy. Classes will be held weekly on Tuesdays, at the Greater Imani Church in Memphis.

TENNESSEE – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is competing in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST), “America’s Best-Looking Cruiser Contest.” State highway patrols and state police organizations from across the country are competing for the top spot. Everyone in Tennessee knows THP has the best-looking state highway patrol vehicle in the nation. Now we need your help to make that official!

TENNESSEE – Beginning May 3, 2023, all persons must have a REAL ID license to access certain federal facilities, military bases and board commercial flights within the United States. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019 and has issued 2,259,820 REAL ID credentials to date.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is accepting applications for the Nashville Citizens’ Academy. The first class starts on August 9th. Weekly sessions run from 5:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. CST. The academy is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness of THP and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Citizens will receive hands-on instruction and training from state troopers and other department personnel throughout the academy.

CHATTANOOGA –On July 3, 2022, a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) trooper was patrolling on East 23rd Street in Hamilton County and performed a traffic stop on a gray Toyota Camry for a traffic violation.

NASHVILLE --- On Saturday, July 3 in Grundy County, Tennessee at approximately 11:30 p.m., Trooper Sam Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s (THP) Chattanooga district initiated a traffic stop on a white male operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The suspect struck Trooper Johnson’s patrol vehicle with the ATV. As Trooper Johnson attempted to apprehend the suspect, the male suspect struck Trooper Johnson. A lengthy struggle ensued from which the suspect was able to get back on the ATV and flee from the immediate area. Trooper Johnson was treated and released from Emerald Hodgson Hospital with minor injuries.

COOKEVILLE – On June 14, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Emergency Communication Dispatch Center received calls from motorists stating that a blue Chevy Suburban was firing shots into a gold passenger vehicle, while traveling on I-40 West in Cookeville, TN. Dispatch issued a BOLO of the suspect vehicle to troopers in the area. Trooper Doug Foster and Trooper Donnie Clark immediately initiated stationary observation at the 291-mile marker westbound.

COOKEVILLE – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is accepting applications for the second Citizens’ Academy in Cookeville, Tennessee. The first session begins on August 16. Sessions run from 5:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. weekly. The deadline to register is July 8, 2022. Applications must be returned by that date for processing.

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) plans to increase patrols and utilize a variety of traffic safety enforcement tools to reduce the number of 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. The 2022 Memorial Day holiday period will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, and concludes at 5:59 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.