Tennessee Highway Patrol Named New Memphis District Captain

MEMPHIS --- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOS&HS) Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott today announced Jimmy Johnson as the new captain of the agency’s Memphis District. Johnson will be working alongside current THP Memphis Captain Joel Deal, who is retiring at the end of this month.

“It’s a great day for the City of Memphis and for the THP,” Commissioner Gibbons said. “Captain Johnson is very deserving of this promotion and I know he will serve Memphis district well.”

“Jimmy has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, which have proven to be effective in the Memphis district. His abilities have prompted us as an organization to keep our eyes on him. We have watched his leadership progression for a while now. He has proven himself as an up-and-coming leader in our organization, and we’ve now given him the opportunity to produce positive results in the Memphis District,” Colonel Trott said.

Prior to his promotion, Johnson had worked as a road lieutenant in Shelby County since 2013. During that time, he became proficient with THP’s predictive analytics software. This allowed him to create detailed enforcement plans for his area and the district. Johnson’s enforcement knowledge and ability to build relationships with other local law enforcement agencies in the Memphis District has been crucial to reducing traffic fatalities.

Johnson became a state trooper in 1997. His first assignment was as a road trooper in Shelby County. Johnson served as the Memphis District evidence custodian trooper (2007-2008) until earning his first promotion to sergeant in (2008-2013) where he was a THP troop sergeant.

The new THP Memphis District Captain began his career of public service as a United States Marine, and was honorably discharged. Since becoming a trooper Johnson has accumulated numerous accolades, District trooper of the Year 1998, MADD/Haywood County DUI Officer 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003. MADD Outstanding Service Award, Graduated TDOS&HS Commissioners Leadership Academy, Colonel’s Unit for President Inauguration, FBI LEEDA Command Course, and Tennessee Achieves Mentor 2016.

Johnson attended the University of Memphis where he studied law Enforcement Administration in 2007 and also graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2003. He also attended central Texas College.

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

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