Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Hosts Three Stars of Tennessee Award and First Responder Recognition Ceremony
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 careerending 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.”
“We are so blessed to live in this great country and state,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “The freedoms we enjoy today are in-part due to the ultimate sacrifices Tennessee law enforcement and first responders have made on our behalf. Today, we pause and reflect on their exceptional service they gave their fellow Tennesseans in the name of safety. Our hearts and prayers are with the 14 families who were presented the Three Stars of Tennessee Award. We will never forget them.”
During the ceremony, 14 first responders/departments were awarded for their heroic actions.
This ceremony has been a long-standing tradition in memory of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Tennessee State Senator Becky Massey spearheaded legislation to recognize law enforcement, firefighters and medical first responders who were either killed or suffered a career ending injury in the line of duty. The law (TCA 4-1-501) to allow for the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” passed during the 2014 legislative session.
The Three Stars of Tennessee Award honorees accompany this release, as well as a list of individuals who received first responder awards. Click here to watch today’s ceremony. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
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Three Stars of Tennessee Award Honorees
Volunteer Firefighter Roger Estes
South Claiborne Volunteer Fire Department
Sergeant Christopher Jenkins
Loudon County Sheriff’s Department
Master Trooper Vince Mullins
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Deputy Matthew Stephen Locke
Hardin County Sheriff’s Department
Officer Greg Triplett
Waverly Police Department
Deputy Dale Wyman
Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Edgar Albert Morris III
Collierville Police Department
Officer Darrell D. Adams
Memphis Police Department
Officer Corille “CJ” Cortez Jones
Memphis Police Department
Officer Jimmie “Alex” Shindler
Memphis Police Department
Corrections Officer Lakiesha Tucker
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Corrections Deputy Willie Lois Dortch
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Corrections Deputy Bridgette Lachelle Hunter
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Lieutenant Terry Watts
Shelby County Fire Department
First Responder Recipients
Master Firefighter Justin Ingle
Knoxville Fire Department
Dispatcher Sandra Courtney
Loudon County E-911
Dispatcher Amanda Johnston
Loudon County E-911
Major Danny Heady
Putnam County EMS
CW3 Michael Thornhill
Tennessee Army National Guard
Deputy Cody Evans
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Hunter Alan Taylor
Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Collierville Police Department
Collierville Fire Department
Lieutenant Russell Smith
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Lieutenant William Bruce
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Trooper Aaron Ranker
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Special Agent Jonathan McGowen
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Special Agent James Scarbro
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation