In commemoration of National Police Week, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), alongside the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST) and the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA), are paying tribute to the law enforcement officers of Tennessee, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The weeklong observance, following a 1962 Congressional resolution, is a time to acknowledge the fallen heroes who have given their lives for public safety and protection.
"This week, I ask my fellow Tennesseans to thank their local law enforcement officers for their dedication to saving lives and protecting our communities," TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence stated, confirming Governor Lee's ongoing commitment to support law enforcement as a key initiative of his administration, it is with this spirit that the TDCI affirms its dedication to serving his vision in the succeeding years according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
As part of this vision, TLETA, which has seen over 23,800 law enforcement officers graduate since its establishment by the General Assembly in 1963, will integrate into the expansive Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy (MALETA) at Cockrill Bend—a cutting-edge, $415 million campus set to begin its final phase of construction in 2025. The facility, which hosted its groundbreaking in September 2023, will also house POST and serve as a hub for other law enforcement agencies.
Noting the inherent perils of police work, William Kain, TLETA Director, and POST Executive Secretary, reflected on recent incidents emphasizing the risk, "In multiple situations in the past few months, the reality of the dangers of serving as a police officer or deputy sheriff has once again been painfully apparent in our state," and he further acknowledged the profound impact of such losses on communities and fellow officers statewide. Kain also remarked on the significance of the 742 Tennesseans lost in the line of duty, calling them exemplars of "honor, duty, and courage to those left behind", as per the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance. As National Police Week continues, the state takes a collective moment to honor those who walked the thin blue line, never to return, but forever remembered for their dedication to the greater good of Tennessee and its citizens.
