New Captains Bios

Press Conference Video

Press Release - Nicely and Walker Promote Four THP Veterans

Photos

Captain Raymond Fletcher | Captain Cheryl Sanders | Captain Thomas Smith |Captain Richard "Dean" Hurley

Captain Raymond Fletcher, Knoxville (District 1) - Captain Raymond Fletcher is a 29 year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He most recently served as the Troop Lieutenant for Knox and Union Counties in the Knoxville District.

Captain Fletcher began his career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1977 as a Trooper in the Knoxville District. Captain Fletcher also served twice as Criminal Interdiction Sergeant and as Sergeant of Campbell and Scott Counties before his promotion to Lieutenant in 1999. During his first term as Criminal Interdiction Sergeant, he oversaw 239 felony arrests and 514 drug arrests in a 23-month period and initiated quarterly prison searches on visitor's day with local state prisons. During his second stint with Criminal Interdiction, he managed a coordinated effort with multiple agencies that netted 511 felony arrests in an 18-month period. He also worked at a deterring motorcycle racing sting in Blount County that resulted in several sting operations and 58 drag racing charges.

Captain Fletcher holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Broward Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1991. He is also an instructor at Walters State Community College.

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Captain Cheryl Sanders, Chattanooga (District 2) - Captain Cheryl Sanders is a 23 year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and is the first woman to hold the rank of Captain in the agency's 77 year history. She most recently served as the Troop Lieutenant for Loudon, Morgan and Roane Counties in the Knoxville District.

Captain Sanders began her career with the THP in 1983 as a Trooper in Knox County . She has also worked as Sergeant in charge of troopers in Morgan and Roane Counties . In 2002, Captain Sanders became the first woman promoted to Lieutenant in the THP's history. She was also the first woman ever assigned to the THP Tactical Squad and has served on the Governor's Detail and VIP Security, worked as an undercover narcotics officer for three years and served as an instructor at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and the TDOS Training Center. In 1987, Captain Sanders was the first woman elected by fellow troopers to serve as President of the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.

Captain Sanders holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Roane State Community College . She also attended and completed the Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School in 1997.  

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Captain Thomas Smith, Memphis (District 4) - Captain Thomas Smith is a 29 year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He most recently served as the Troop Lieutenant for Tipton, Lauderdale and Crockett Counties in the Memphis District, a position he has held for the last 10 years.

Captain Smith is a native of Glasgow , Kentucky . He began his law enforcement career as a Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper in 1977. In 1990, Captain Smith was promoted to Sergeant in Dyer County and later served as Sergeant in Tipton County before being promoted to Troop Lieutenant in 1996. During his time with the patrol, Captain Smith has instructed various classes for numerous agencies, has served on several committees responsible for creating standards and techniques for investigative manuals and, for 12 years, he developed and managed the field training operation for new recruits.

Captain Smith is married with three children.

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Captain Hurley is a native of Johnson City , Tennesee. He served in the United States Air Force as a Security Police Specialist from 1973 to 1976 before joining the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1977. Captain Hurley worked as a Trooper in Washington and Sullivan Counties for 13 years. During his time with the patrol, Captain Hurley has worked as a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Mentor and Instructor, the Sergeant overseeing troopers in the Johnson City area and, in 2002, accepted a promotion to Lieutenant of the Safety Education Division's Fall Branch District.

In addition to his work in the patrol, Captain Hurley also holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University . He has also served as an Assistant Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at ETSU and as a D.U.I. Instructor for Walters State Community College .

Captain Hurley and his wife Vicki have one daughter, Jessica.

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