from the desk of jim hammond · 4 the roll call, may 31st, 2016 the roll call is published...

HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TN—May 31st, 2016

In this issue:

Sheriff Hammond,

Pages 1-2

Branum’s Briefs,

Page 3

Cottontail Commentary,

Page 4

Deputy Gadd, Pages 5-6

L.E. Memorial, Pages 7-9

Armed Forces Parade,

0

Corrections

Communiqué, Pages 11-13

Recognitions, Pages 14-15

Chaplain’s Corner,

Page 15

Scholarships, Page 16

Daniel King, Page 17

What’s Cookin’,

Page 18

By air, it is 1,400 miles to Mexico City

where Director Gino Bennett and I had

the privilege to travel last month. We

were met by team members from a large

international foundation to consider

what they were calling a “rare opportuni-

ty,” perhaps an opportunity of a lifetime.

Continued next page

FROM THE DESK OF JIM HAMMOND

From Mexico City, we took a

two-hour bus ride south to the

ancient city of Cuernavaca in

the state of Morelos and then

another one-hour car ride fur-

ther south to the small village

of Xoxocotla (pro-nounced So-

so coat’ lah). The foundation

had invited us to their large

camp in Morelos, Mexico to as-

sist them and the Mexican gov-

ernment in developing a new

training program for the Mexi-

can police force.

We were instructed that the

Mexican government now

wants to institute a different

type of training program, one

that would more specifically

address such issues as ethics,

integrity, morality and charac-

ter. In doing so the government

is admitting they have not ad-

dressed these strongly enough

in their cadet and In-service

training classes for many years.

That debilitating situation cou-

pled with the escalating crime

rate, has brought a very nega-

tive reputation literally around

the world upon their police

force. So much so, that it is now

greatly affecting their tourism.

(Money is quite often a real mo-

tivation for change – and can

often open up real opportuni-

ties for improvement.) They

want their officers to experi-

ence the good policing tech-

niques and practices that are

standard in American police

academies.

As our program develops in the

2 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016

future, our training will

evolve to include a variety of

disciplines including SWAT,

traffic stops, homicide in-

vestigation, evidence gath-

ering, take-down proce-

dures, K-9 teams, domestic

and mental health calls, etc.

But to start out with, our

part of their training pro-

gram will now include ad-

dressing the topics of good

ethics, integrity, morality

and character.

All travel to and from the

camp and lodging expenses

at the camp are paid for by

the foundation for those

who are selected to partici-

pate in this program. Most

training sessions are con-

ducted Thursday through

Sunday and will require

three to four days of person-

al leave time from the offic-

ers in accordance with the

requirements of each re-

spective agency. Interpret-

ers are provided.

As we continue to develop

future programs in Mexico,

each trainer selected should

be skilled in their own ca-

reer and training. Further,

they must be motivated to

demonstrate a strong com-

mitment to a lifestyle which

is consistent with this Chris-

tian foundation’s mission

stressing honorable ethics,

integrity, morality and good

character.

If any of you are interested

in sharing your law enforce-

ment training with contem-

poraries outside the U.S.,

this might be an ideal op-

portunity for you. Having

participated in these exer-

cises for several years now, I

can tell you this type of

training and sharing with

fellow officers is extremely

rewarding and can greatly

enhance your own profes-

sional career development

and personal satisfaction.

It’s also gratifying to see of-

ficers from around the

world want to hone their

law enforcement skills using

U.S. instructors.

Applicants will need a valid

passport. Depending on

several issues, the pro-

cessing time for routine

passport service usually

takes four to six weeks. Al-

so, you will need to submit

your resume and experience

of your training skills to us.

By the time you read my ar-

ticle this month, I will have

travelled to the country of

Columbia the third week in

May along with another of-

ficer from Ohio. We have

also been invited to meet

with police officials there to

discuss a similar training

program for law enforce-

ment in that country.

Right now, there are three

other countries that have

already indicated an interest

in such a training collabora-

tion. Accordingly, we are

currently composing a list of

officers from around the

country who may want to

join us in this project. Our

immediate goal is to have

enough officers soon to

schedule for the coming

years of 2016 -2017.

Once again, if you have any

questions, please feel free to

contact me or Director Ben-

nett.

Jim Hammond - Sheriff

Leadership Briefs With Chief Deputy Allen Branum

Social Media and Electronic Communications

Many of us see and often participate in controversial comments or posts

on social media and electronic messages. What we sometimes don’t im-

mediately realize is that we also often respond out of frustration, haste

and emotion. This can result in unnecessary conflict between individuals

or groups. Once something is posted, it becomes “etched in stone” for all

the world to see—even if we have second thoughts later.

The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 3

Thoughts or intent can’t be re-

called or corrected once sent

out. We may want a “re-do”

but that is out of the question.

Written communications are

rarely received in the same

way they are intended since

emphasis can’t always be

placed in the right areas, caus-

ing people to question your

motives or character.

Here are few things for HCSO

employees to consider when

utilizing electronic commu-

nication or social media:

We represent the Hamilton

County Sheriff’s Office in all we

do. Do we represent our agen-

cy well or poorly?

Regardless of any disclaimer

we put on our social media ac-

count, our views, whether posi-

tive or negative, always will

reflect on our profession.

(Meanwhile, some of the most

heated online arguments are

over things that those who ar-

guing have no control.)

Even if you delete a tweet or

blog post, it’s highly likely that

somebody, somewhere

still has a screenshot. When it

comes to personal attacks,

people have long memories

about what others have com-

municated online.

When responding to or initi-

ating social media:

Realize again that we repre-

sent our profession. We

should refrain from posting or

responding when our emo-

tions are high. Remember that

others are often posting in re-

sponse to their own anger and

emotions as well.

We need to remember that our

words are permanent. If we

post it, we own it! Understand

some members of your group

likely have a different view

than yours.

We shall be aware that our

personal or political opinions

may cause controversy with

others in the community.

Consider waiting and review

your response before sending

and be clear and precise in

your message.

Always be accountable and re-

sponsible for your actions,

whether in written or verbal.

Others will always hold us re-

sponsible and accountable for

our actions as they understand

and interpret what we said,

regardless of our intentions.

Please take a few minutes to

think before communicating.

Your perspective is not always

the same as the persons read-

ing or listening.

It is much better to be clear

and precise in your original

message than to spend addi-

tional time attempting to ex-

plain yourself.

Finally, remember that there

are those who thrive on the

negative and will do their best

to create something just to add

gasoline to the confusion. AB


THE ROLL CALL IS PUBLISHED

EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE

HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S

OFFICE LOCATED AT

600 MARKET STREET,

CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402

(423) 209-7000

FAX: (423) 209-7001

THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR IS

G. A. BENNETT.

THE OPERATIONAL EDITOR &

PUBLISHER IS JOHN E. WATERS.

CONTRIBUTING TO

THIS ISSUE ARE:

G.A. BENNETT,

ALLEN BRANUM, TRACEY CASE,

GENE COPPINGER,

JIM HAMMOND,

MATT LEA, AL LINDON

JOHN WATERS, JIMMY WILDES,

SHANNON WILSON AND

MELISSA WILSON

The Cotton Tail Commentary

by John Waters

Operation Song-Chattanooga, started by Bob Regan, is

bringing together some of Nashville’s best talent, among

whom are song writer, Don Goodman, guitarist Steve

Dean along with amazing therapist, Anne Meyers, who is blind. In

her blindness, Anne touches the soul of the veteran and interprets

the emotion-laden words so they can be then be woven with the tal-

ent of the music makers. The lyrics and score demand an audience

while aiding the healing process. Overseen by Bobbie Allison

Standefer and hosted on Thursdays by the Erlanger Life Style Center

on Broad Street, military veterans suffering from PTSD are encour-

aged to tell their stories in a safe environment while the lyricist and

musicians put buried scars into song. Silent burdens begin to lift.

Among those telling their stories was Lorri Wyatt, widow of Marine

Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, one of the Fallen Five who died in the

terrorist attack here a year ago. The first cut of that CD has been re-

leased. Lorri’s song is listed first, titled “Chattanooga Rain,” and is

sung by country artist, Minnie Murphy. Watch for Operation Song-

Chattanooga to become a resource for members of Hamilton Coun-

ty’s law enforcement and first responder community. The call to ac-

tion at home required of the thin blue line and often the anguish

that follows are not unlike what our military have faced in foreign

battles—and still face. Home or abroad, war is still war.

We celebrate our heroes who have fallen in May. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Chatta-

nooga CPD raced to the scene when a terrorist attacked our military on July 16, 2015. Out of that

painful experience a song was born titled Chattanooga Rain. The widow of Staff Sergeant David

Wyatt goes over her notes as Nashville artist, Minnie Murphy, sings Lorri’s song. (Article below)

It's hard for Hamilton County

Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Gadd to

forget the scene off Amnicola

Highway. “They started yell-

ing on the radio, 'Officer down,

officer down, officer down,'"

he remembered.

The day started out like any

other. As an investigator for

the county's traffic division,

Gadd was on his motorcycle

working a funeral procession

with other deputies and city

police officers when the call

came over the radio. "I re-

member him saying, 'Heads

up, there's an active shooter

on the Riverfront,'" he said,

"That's when Dennis passed

me. Dennis was on his motor,

he passed me and he looked at

me and said, 'Hey, did you hear

that?' And I said yeah and he

took off." Moments later, Gadd

would arrive at the Naval and

Marine Reserve Center. He still

remembers hearing the gun-

fire. "I knew I didn't have any-

thing but my sidearm, being on

the motorcycle. I tell people

that's when I felt the most vul-

nerable because I didn't have

my tools, I didn't have my car, I

didn't have my stuff that I usu-

ally carry," he added.

As Gadd and other officers

moved closer, he remembers

realizing the of-

ficer who had been

shot was one he

was riding beside

minutes prior.

"It's one of those

things motor cops,

I guess, notice

about each other

and then I looked

up and I obviously

knew as soon as I saw the

(motorcycle) boots, it was

Dennis," he said.

He, along with other Chatta-

nooga Police officers, helped

move Pedigo, who was shot in

the leg, away from the gunfire.

"I remember him grabbing my

gun belt and it kind of sagging

me down and I remember

thinking, you can't fall. You

have to get him to the road,"

he added.

Pedigo was rushed by ambu-

lance to Erlanger where was

taken into emergency surgery.

Gadd would later show up at

the hospital to work his sched-

uled security shift because, de-

spite the chaos that day, he

was determined not to let the

shooter win. "That's when it

kind of hit me, through the

point of, I'm not going to let

this guy change my life, as far

as how I live and how I go

about my daily business," he

said. Gadd was recognized

May 20th with the "Respect for

Law, Officer of the Year

Award" by the Scenic Chatta-

nooga Optimist Club at the

Chattanoogan Hotel for his ac-

tions that day. WRCB News

Award on the next page.

Deputy Jeff Gadd’s Story


HCSO Deputy Gadd Awarded Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award

Hamilton County, TN – The Hamilton County

Sheriff’s Office and the Scenic Chattanooga Op-

timist Club were proud to present this year’s

recipient of the “Respect for Law Officer of the

Year Award” to Hamilton County Traffic Inves-

tigator Jeff Gadd at a ceremony on Friday, May

20th at Noon at the Chattanoogan Hotel. Deputy

Gadd received this prestigious honor for his

bravery exhibited during the July 16th shootings

which occurred at the Naval/Marine Operations

Center on Amnicola Highway.

Investigator Gadd is a seven year veteran of the

HCSO and is a former police officer with the City

of Soddy Daisy and the City of Chattanooga Po-

lice Departments.

This community is fortunate to have dedicated

individuals such as Deputy Gadd and many oth-

ers that perform admirably each day with little

or no recognition.

Chief Deputy Allen Branum



Hamilton County, TN - On

Tuesday, May 10th, the Hamil-

ton County Sheriff’s Office in

conjunction with the Chatta-

nooga Police Department

hosted the 2016 Law Enforce-

ment Memorial Ceremony.

This year’s program featured

a new name addition to the

wall, Hamilton County Park

Ranger James Wallen. U.S. Na-

vy Lt. Commander, Tim White,

was the keynote speaker and

spoke about the heroism ex-

hibited by the responding law

enforcement personnel on Ju-

ly 16th.

It is important to note, on av-

erage, one law enforcement

officer is killed in the line of

duty somewhere in the United

States every 61 hours. Since

the first known line-of-duty

death in 1791, more than

20,000 U.S. law enforcement

officers have made the ulti-

mate sacrifice.

Tuesday’s event gave local law

enforcement agencies, elected

officials, members of the com-

munity, and business leaders

time to honor the sacrifice of

our community’s law enforce-

ment personnel, particularly

those who have given the ulti-

mate sacrifice

HCSO Hosts 2016 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony


HCSO Participates In 2016 Armed Forces Day Parade

May 6th. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

participated in the 67th Annual Chattanooga Area

Armed Forces Day Parade. The guest of honor

was U.S. Marine Corp Commandant, General Rob-

ert Neller, pictured right. This year, the HCSO

entered the Mobile Command Unit, one of our

new Specialized Response Vehicles, and several

of our motorcycles from the Traffic Division.

This year’s 2016 Armed Forces

Day Parade and the luncheon that

followed have been proclaimed the

largest in history to this point.

Next year’s parade will be spon-

sored by the United States Air

Force.


May 4, 2016. Sheriff Jim Ham-

mond issued seven Employee

Service Awards to HCSO Cor-

rections personnel for their

service.

The personnel recognized pic-

tured in order were as follows:

Corrections Corporal, Wesley

Phillip Chambers (5 Years),

Corrections Corporal, Charles

Oliver Lowery, III (5 years),

Corrections Officers’ James Eric

Clift (5 years), Steven Michael

Shell (5 years), Bryan Daniel

Sowers (5 years), Robert Clay

McConnell (20 years) and Food

Service Supervisor, Jimmy Allen

Hughes, Sr. (20 years). Not pre-

sent was Corrections Officer

Derek Lee Watkins (5 years).

Matt Lea, PIO

Continued next page

Not present

for the

presentation

was Correc-

tions Deputy

Derek Lee

Watkins

(5 years)


May 4th, 2016. Hamilton

County Mayor Jim Coppinger

presented a Mayoral Procla-

mation in recognition of Na-

tional Corrections Week to the

staff of the Hamilton County

Jail in honor of their service to

our community. This procla-

mation reading was the formal

community announcement of

National Corrections Officer

Appreciation Week for the

Hamilton County Corrections

Division. Beginning earlier this

week, HCSO Corrections staff

planned several weeklong

events, drawings, and acti-

vates in honor to recognize the

efforts of our corrections offic-

ers to keep our community

and inmates safe and secure.

Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger Delivers Procla-mation in Honor of National Corrections Officer Week

In 1984, a Proclamation signed

by Ronald Reagan designated

Corrections Week. The staff

planned several week-long

events to honor our correc-

tions officers who keep our

community and inmates safe.

Contributions and donated

gifts were made by the Frater-

nal Order of Police and the In-

ternational Brotherhood of

Police Officers and others.

Monday - movie tickets,

knives, car wash tickets and

more. Next was Salsa-Tuesday

then Spaghetti-Wednesday

and garlic toast.

Also on Wednesday, Hamilton

County Mayor, Jim Coppinger,

presented a Mayoral Procla-

mation in recognition of Na-

tional Corrections Week to the

media. After the proclamation

a cake recognizing Correction-

al Officer Week -2016 was

shared followed by a guess-the

-number in the Jelly Bean Jug .

Next was Cookout Thursday.

We served lunch for over 165

corrections officers and staff

members at the jail. The best

part of that day for me was

when my wife Cheryl stood

next to me flipping hot dogs

and smoked sausages while I

flipped hamburgers in the Sal-

ly Port on a grill borrowed

from the Soddy Daisy Fire De-

partment, thanks to Deputy

Chief Branum. Friday was an-

other Drawing for the staff and

Corrections Officers. The next

day was Sweets-Saturday.

There was a “Corrections

Week 2016” cake and dough-

nuts for all 3 shifts. Saturday

we also had a physical fitness

test for 24 new hires and many

gifts were handed out just to

say thank you for all our cor-

rection officers do on a daily

basis

Lt. Jimmy D. Wildes, Sr.



Captain Coppinger and the

Training Division of the Hamil-

ton County Jail presented Gina

Hatler a Certificate of Appreci-

ation and monogrammed RTIC

cup for her assistance in our

2016 Corrections in-service

training. Shown above for the

presentation were: Gina Hatler

– The WELL, Deputy Chief Joe

Fowler, Captain Gene Copping-

er, Sergeant

Robert Lackey,

Deputy Martin

Perry, Sandra

Ellis – County

HR and Alecia

Poe – County

HR.

Corporal

Tracey Case

Gina Hatler Honored

Guns and Hoses Boxing Event Donation The 7th Annual Guns and Hos-

es Battle of the Badges, fought

at the Maclellan Gym on the

UTC campus in February, was

another great success with

over 2,000 in attendance.

Fighting for our agency this

time was Blake Kilpatrick in

Training and Robert Starnes in

Patrol.

The event raised $18,826.42

in net profits which will be

equally divided between the

Forgotten Child Fund and the

Westside Boxing Club, a

YMCA Y-CAP project.

I want to personally thank our

board (some of whom are pic-

tured) and everyone who sup-

ported this meaningful

event. And again, a very spe-

cial “Thank You” to Blake and

Robert, our fighters this year.

Director Bennett

We Remember The FallenWe Remember The FallenWe Remember The Fallen


This month we remembered

those that have fallen in the

line of duty. It was a solemn

time as each name was called.

It is in these times that I am

proud to have a small part in

the Law Enforcement commu-

nity. There are very few pro-

fessions that people will risk

their lives for others.

As I write, I want to use this

time to encourage all of you

who risk your lives every

day. There might not be a spe-

cial day where everybody hon-

ors you and calls out your

name but your service is noted

in the community. Pay no at-

tention to the negative that

people seem to major on, but

instead look into the eyes of

the people you help and know

you make a difference. I've

learned in my pastoral career

that you don't always hear

about the difference you've

made until years later.

Regardless of whether we hear

about our influence or not we

need to hold on to our convic-

tions and know we are called

to make a difference. Knowing

that you're doing what you're

called to do will keep you

when there are no accolades.

As I close I want to say thank

you to all of you who are walk-

ing in your calling. Your ser-

vice is appreciated and I want

to say keep going and don't

give up!

Chaplain Allen Lindon

Denise Benton Recognized Will you put this in the Roll Call in recognizing Jacqueline "Denise"

Benton on April 27th for Administrative Assistant Appreciation

Day from D/C Joe Fowler, Capt. Gene Coppinger and Capt. John

Swope representing the entire Corrections Division.

Thanks Denise for all you do for us !!!

Capt. Gene Coppinger, CJM

Editorial note: Seems Captain

Coppinger recognizes who but-

ters his administrative bread —

a wise man indeed.

The editorial staff of The Roll Call is happy to publish notes of recognition

and encouragement from all of the departments of the HCSO.


Sheriff Jim Hammond presented (4) $500 Col-

lege Scholarship checks to (4) HCSO families on

behalf of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association.

This year’s recipients are as follows: Kerri

Catchings daughter of Carolyn Catchings (HCSO

Accounting) – 2nd year recipient; Emerald But-

ler daughter of Daric Butler (HCSO Motor Pool);

Aaron Butler son of Daric Butler (HCSO Motor

Pool); Barrett Poole son of Jimi Hammond

(HCSO Information Systems)

Tennessee Sheriff ’s Association Awards College Scholarships to HCSO Families


A Deaf Boy’s Request Henry King is an unusual father. Not only is

he a diligent, soft-spoken part of the Hamilton

County Maintenance staff, he is a proficient

sign language interpreter at Stanley Heights

Baptist Church. In 2006, the Kings took a gi-

ant leap of faith and adopted a deaf Chinese

boy whom they named Daniel. Communica-

tion not a problem for the Kings, they chose to

home school the bright young man. Daniel re-

sponded well to the nurturing family and

makes straight As. His request, to meet the

Sheriff of Hamilton County, Jim Hammond in one of the buildings where his dad works. Daniel and

his Dad are shown right fulfilling his dream. Below, he and the Sheriff are examining the sheriff’s col-

lection of challenge coins as well as a very contented smile.

What’s Cookin’ @ HCSO!

Easy One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups water

1 jar (24 ounces) of your favorite Spa-

ghetti Sauce

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken in

half

3 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts,

cubed

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 cup Bread Crumbs

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1) In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium/high heat.

2) Coat chicken cubes in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Bread Crumbs and Italian

seasoning

3) Cook chicken in skillet for approximately 5 minutes, turning after 2 1/2

minutes. Be sure the chicken is white throughout and cooked through. Set

aside.

4) In a medium pot, bring water and your favorite Spaghetti Sauce to a boil.

5) Add pasta and allow to cook for approximately 15 minutes, until pasta is ten-

der. Be sure to stir throughout as pasta might stick to the bottom.

6) When pasta is tender, add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and stir in

chicken. Serve immediately.

7) Enjoy!

* Add bread and wine of choice


from the desk of jim hammond · 4 the roll call, may 31st, 2016 the roll call is published...

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