from the desk of jim hammond · 4 the roll call, may 31st, 2016 the roll call is published...
TRANSCRIPT
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,
Page 10
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
4 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
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
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 5
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
6 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 7
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
8 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 9
10 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
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.
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 11
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)
12 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
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.
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 13
14 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
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
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 15
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.
16 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016
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
The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016 17
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
18 The Roll Call, May 31st, 2016