HARTSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - It’s not just big cities feeling the pinch when it comes to law enforcement staffing. One Middle Tennessee sheriff says his office is stretched thin.

In Trousdale County, the sheriff’s office is down six deputies out of 24. Sheriff Ray Russell says they had to reassign their criminal investigations deputies to help cover patrols. Now, even the deputy who normally handles school traffic is being pulled to answer 911 calls.

Mayor Jack McCall says many deputies are leaving for higher pay.

“It’s kind of a crisis that presents itself to most rural counties because of our limited tax base, and it’s always been a challenge,” McCall said. “I’ve been a friend of Sheriff Russell for a lot of years, and that’s always a challenge to maintain your staff in the face of the

See Full Page