Sheriff

A Life-long and Extraordinary Career in Law Enforcement : 

"I knew early on what I wanted, a career in law enforcement." -Eddie Farris

*Graduate of ETSU with a degree in Criminal Justice - Captain of ETSU Baseball Team

*Deputy of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department -Hired by Sheriff Jerry Abston in 1989 - Was quickly promoted & given increased responsibilities - Endorsed and recommended by retired sheriff Jerry Abston (1974-2002) - Endorsed and recommended by retired sheriff Billy Glenn Smith (1968-1974)

*I was the First Putnam County Jail Administrator of the current Putnam County Justice Center -My staff and I received the highest possible ratings for a direct-supervision jail

*Graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy

*Graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia

*Trained by the US Justice Department

In 1989 I began my law enforcement career as a deputy at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department under the direction of former Sheriff Jerry Abston.

In 1990 I graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy which provides the basic law enforcement training for new officers from around the state. In 1992, I became the first jail administrator of the current Putnam County Justice Center. During that time, my staff and I worked closely with the Tennessee Correction Institute (T.C.I.), State Probation and Parole, Community Corrections, Criminal Court and General Session Judges, Tennessee Prison System, as well as other law enforcement agencies across Tennessee and the nation. While serving as Jail Administrator, my staff and I were recognized for receiving the highest ratings possible for a direct supervision jail.

In 1995, I was selected by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Department of Safety, and was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. While serving as a criminal investigator with the T.H.P., I investigated homicides, narcotics related crimes, stolen property, insurance related crimes, document fraud, vehicle theft, illegal weapons violations, embezzlement, and conducted Internal Affair investigations.

In 2000, I attended and graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. During that same year, I was selected and assigned to the F.B.I “Safe Streets” Violent Crime Task Force in the Memphis Division which included the Nashville and Cookeville Resident Agencies. While serving on The Violent Crime Task Force, I investigated bank robberies, gang related crimes, corruption, and other violent crimes.

-The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division, awarded me their Outstanding Achievement Award.

In 2004, I was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division where I supervised agents in the Cookeville and Chattanooga areas.

In 2006, I accepted employment with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. I have served as Special Agent for TBI from 2006-2014 where my primary focus is on high-level illegal narcotic organizations.

In 2011, along with other members of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, we received an award for the HIDTA Case of the Year. This case received attention and recognition due to the number of arrests involved and seizures made right here in the Upper Cumberland region and throughout the entire United States.