Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Honors the Life and Legacy of Former Sheriff Truman Jones

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office honors the life and legacy of former Sheriff Truman Jones, who passed away Wednesday, September 9, at Azalea Court.

Sheriff Jones dedicated more than five decades of his life to serving Rutherford County and its citizens. He began his career with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in 1972 and worked his way through the ranks, eventually serving as Deputy Chief under Sheriff Craig Snell.

In 1983, Jones was elected Sheriff of Rutherford County. He would go on to serve the citizens of Rutherford County for the next 27 years, making him the second longest-serving sheriff in the state of Tennessee. During his tenure, he led the Sheriff’s Office through a period of unprecedented growth and change.

Current Rutherford County Sheriff Kenneth Barrett credits Sheriff Jones with playing an important role in the beginning of his own law enforcement career.

“Sheriff Jones believed in me and allowed me to start my career on March 3, 1998. Sheriff Jones was an outstanding man and leader. He was an inspiration to me and many others as he taught us how to lead with integrity and accountability.

Sgt. Lee Young, who worked alongside Sheriff Jones, remembers a leader who genuinely cared about both the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens they served.

Young also remembered the many times Sheriff Jones would personally call to check on deputies and make sure they were doing well.

“That was just Truman,” Young said. “He cared about his people.”

Sheriff Jones’ commitment to protecting the community also left a lasting mark on law enforcement in Rutherford County and across Tennessee. More than 30 years ago, he established the first School Resource Officer division in the state of Tennessee. Today, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office SRO Division continues to serve thousands of students, and Sheriff Jones’ own son, Deputy Barry Jones, proudly continues that tradition as a School Resource Officer in Rutherford County.

During his tenure, Sheriff Jones also established the Crime Enforcement Unit and Interstate Crime Unit. Those units played a significant role in removing millions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs from the streets and strengthening law enforcement efforts throughout the county.

Barry Jones reflected on the impact his father had during a pivotal time in Rutherford County’s history.

“During a time when the amount of growth could have seen Rutherford County go a different direction, he kept the citizens safe.”

Sheriff Jones led the Sheriff’s Office during a remarkable period of growth. Rutherford County was transformed from a largely rural community into one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Jones witnessed that transformation firsthand, seeing Rutherford County grow from approximately 10,000 residents to more than 350,000 residents during his lifetime.

Through that growth, his focus remained on protecting the people who called Rutherford County home.

After retiring as Sheriff in 2011, Jones continued serving the community in a different way. On January 3, 2011, “The Truman Show” began airing on WGNS. The program continued for more than 11 years, with Jones’ final broadcast airing March 1, 2022. The show became another way for Jones to remain connected to the community he had served for decades.

Outside of law enforcement, Jones was known for his love of baseball, University of Tennessee Football, his commitment to fitness, and, above all, his family. He was especially devoted to his wife, Jackie, who passed away in 2016.

Sheriff Jones leaves behind a legacy throughout Rutherford County. His work helped shape the Sheriff’s Office and the programs that continue to serve the community today.

His commitment to his deputies, his community, and the profession of law enforcement will not be forgotten.

Funeral arrangements are currently being discussed with Sheriff Jones’ family. Details will be shared with the public when they are made available.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to Sheriff Jones’ family, friends, former colleagues, and the countless Rutherford County citizens whose lives he touched throughout his years of service.