Department of Safety Internet - Nicely and Walker Promote Four THP Veterans

Nicely and Walker Promote Four THP Veterans

Four New Captains Named

Left to Right: Captains Cheryl Sanders, Raymond Fletcher, Dean Hurley, and Thomas Smith join Major Tracy Trott, Colonel Mike Walker, Assistant Commissioner Greta Dejani, and Interim Commissioner Gerald Nicely as they are introduced as new THP Captains.

May 4, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn., ---Department of Safety Interim Commissioner Gerald Nicely and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Walker have made four key promotions in the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The decisions put new Captains in place in four THP districts.

"This is another important step in moving forward with management changes within the Tennessee Highway Patrol," said Nicely. "After careful consideration, Colonel Walker and I have chosen four qualified individuals to lead these districts, including the first female Captain in THP history."

Captain Cheryl Sanders will command the 12-county Chattanooga District. Captain Raymond Fletcher will manage the 11-county Knoxville District. Captain Thomas Smith will oversee the Memphis District's 11 counties. Captain Richard Dean Hurley will head the 13-county Fall Branch District. Captains Fletcher, Smith and Hurley are all 29 year veterans of the Highway Patrol. Captain Sanders has been with the patrol for 23 years.

"It is my privilege to promote four hard-working career employees of the patrol to these Captains positions," Colonel Mike Walker stated. "All four of these individuals personify professionalism, integrity and pride, which are not simply acts.but are habits."

The Captains will begin their new jobs immediately.

The Tennessee Department of Safety ( www.tennessee.gov/safety ) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department's general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.