Longtime Chief Deputy Sheriff Tony Crouch announces he will seek election to the Office of Sheriff in the upcoming August election. With more than 27 years in the field of law enforcement, Crouch?s experience is demonstrated through the various positions in which he has served. Ranging from Junior Police Explorer to Security Policeman in the U.S. Air Force, from Reserve Police Officer to Patrol Division Supervisor, and from D.A.R.E. Officer to Chief Deputy, his steady progression from an unpaid volunteer to the highest levels of supervision clearly demonstrate his dedication to the profession. From patrolling the roads and highways, to teaching students in the classroom, and to managing a Department of more than 60 employees, Crouch believes his training, professional background, and job experiences uniquely qualify him to seek the Office of Lawrence County Sheriff.

Crouch is the son of Willie and Barbara Crouch of Lawrenceburg and a life long resident of Lawrence County. His interest in law enforcement started at an early age when he became involved in school patrol while attending elementary school. He later joined the Lawrenceburg Police Department?s Explorer Group earning the rank of Explorer Captain. During his senior year of high school he was commissioned as a Lawrenceburg Police Reserve Officer. A 1979 graduate of Lawrence County High School, he earned the rank of Colonel in the Air Force Junior ROTC Program.

After graduating from high school, Crouch entered the United States Air Force and graduated from its Security Police Technical School in the summer of 1979. During his four years in the military, he served two years with the 314th Security Police Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas and the remaining two years with Detachment 1 of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing in Belgium. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1983.

Upon returning home from military service in the summer of 1983, Crouch was commissioned as a Lawrence County Reserve Deputy Sheriff and worked in that capacity until he was hired full time as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Patrol Division in 1984. Crouch graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in 1985, and just a year later, he was promoted to the position of Shift Supervisor with the rank of Sergeant.

Tasked with a very unique assignment in 1990, Crouch was challenged with the initial development and implementation of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program for the entire Lawrence County School System. Educating mostly sixth grade students at all of the County?s then eight elementary schools on the effects of drugs and alcohol, he worked hard to overcome the many obstacles encountered in implementing a new program of such magnitude. His four-year assignment as the very first County-wide D.A.R.E. Officer had a major impact on innumerable young lives.

Promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy in 1994, Crouch continues to serve in that position some twelve years later. With a diverse background spanning all areas of law enforcement operations, Crouch has tirelessly served the people of Lawrence County for many years. His extensive training and his wealth of experience, combined with his unprecedented twelve years of service as Chief Deputy, has significantly enhanced his qualifications for the very demanding Office of Sheriff. When his career is viewed in its entirety, Crouch feels his 27 years of distinguished service uniquely enable him to fulfill the duties of the Office of Sheriff. He asks voters to consider both his qualifications and dedication, and he humbly solicits their vote in the August general election.

Article supplied by Tony Crouch Campaign