On February 16, 2015, Kristi Clark and her 10-year-old son, Carter Oakley, were hit by a semi and killed after they got out of their car to help five people in an overturned SUV on an ice-covered I-65 in Franklin. Nearly four years later, Kristi’s parents, Brad and Bonnie Lewis, stay very much in touch with members of the Franklin Police Department. A bond brought about by tragedy will bring help to needy families this Christmas, in memory of two good Samaritans who died helping others in need.
Mr. Lewis, a skilled craftsman, has built 10-wooden toy boxes in Kristi and Carter’s honor. He and his wife have donated them to the Franklin Police Department. Now, Franklin Police Officers want to fill them with toys for needy Franklin families. “Kristi and Carter’s lives were cut short while they were helping others,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “It is our honor to help others in their memory.”
The Franklin Police Department needs – new toy donations – to fill the toy boxes made by Kristi’s dad, Carter’s grandpa.
Citizens can bring a new, unwrapped toy for children up to 16-years-old and leave it in the toy box in the Franklin Police Headquarters Lobby.
New toy donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Monetary donations are unable to be accepted.
Update: November 22, 2018 | 7:30 am Weston was located and arrested late Wednesday night following a tip. Franklin Police Officers arrested Weston at a Natchez Street home without incident.
Previously Released: Terry Lamarr Weston is an absconder, wanted for Violation of the Sex Offender Registry.
Weston is classified as a violent offender. His convictions include Criminal Attempt to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, and Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
Weston failed to register, as required, following his release from jail. Detectives cannot locate Weston and are offering a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to his arrest.
With Black Friday just around the corner, Franklin Police will initiate a security plan designed to safeguard shoppers, deter crime, and arrest criminals at Franklin’s shopping venues.
“Franklin Police Officers assigned to the city’s shopping districts will have zero-tolerance for crime and criminals,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “Our officers are committed to keeping Franklin safe for Franklin residents, visitors, and businesses.” Click for more crime prevention tips from the Chief.
An increased combination of highly-visible patrols by uniformed officers in marked cars and plain-clothes officers in unmarked vehicles will be paying special attention to Franklin’s shopping districts between now and Christmas.
Franklin Police will work closely with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure shoplifters, identity thieves, auto burglars, and other criminals who take advantage of this busy time of year are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Starting Friday, the Franklin Police Department will staff a temporary command post at the CoolSprings Galleria through the remainder of the Christmas shopping season.
Remember to park smart!Thieves love crowded parking lots, and are known to randomly check door handles for unlocked car doors while peering into windows to see what’s inside. Even if you lock your car doors, when crooks see valuables inside, they often force entry by breaking a lock or window. Once inside, thieves push the trunk release to check for purses or other stowed valuables. Police recommend never leaving purses or other valuables in a parked car.
Officers on patrol who see something that could put you or your valuables at risk may leave this form to let you know they were there, and to share suggestions on how to increase your safety and security. Safeguarding a community is everyone’s responsibility, and citizens play a big role in deterring crime. Crime prevention is most effective when citizens and the police work together.
FPD offers free home checks for traveling residents:
While many are gearing up to travel this holiday season, Franklin Police Officers want to offer you a little extra peace of mind. While you are away, neighborhood officers will help keep an extra eye on your home.
To take advantage of this free service, complete the online form.
Need additional assistance? Call (615) 794-2513.
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Update: November 21, 2018 | 1:40 pm McLemore is in custody and in the process of being booked. This after an acquaintance dropped him off at the jail.
Previously Released:
Franklin Police and Crime Stoppers are offering a cash reward for information that leads to the whereabouts of 57-year-old Reginald McLemore. The convicted felon is wanted for repeatedly slashing a Franklin woman outside a Cedar Drive home at 7:40 Tuesday night.
The victim suffered lacerations to her face and body. Luckily, the injuries were not life-threatening. This was not a random attack, as McLemore and the victim are known to one another. McLemore fled the scene following the assault and remains at-large. He is wanted for Aggravated Assault. McLemore has ties to Franklin and Antioch.
A cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that helps lead to McLemore’s capture.
At 10:50 this morning, Franklin Police Officers were dispatched to check the welfare of an elderly resident on Cambridge Place after a caregiver was unable to reach him. Officers were surprised to find a live grenade in a flower pot at the back door of the home while searching for a house key.
Officers quickly alerted nearby neighbors and directed them to areas of their home away from potential danger. Bomb Technicians from the THP and FBI responded and secured the grenade. In addition to the device in the flower pot, which was fully-capable of detonating, three additional grenade bodies that did not pose an immediate risk were confiscated and destroyed. No additional hazards were located during a search of the home.
Charges were not immediately filed, and additional information is not being released due to an ongoing investigation.
Detectives in Franklin want to identify this suspect. He used a stolen credit card number to ‘purchase’ and ship a $7,000 guitar to a Franklin pickup location. Call Crime Stoppers if you recognize him.
Franklin Police want to identify this shoplifter. He stole two rings from Kohl’s last week and then ran from the store when security tried stopping him. The total loss is about $200, and a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that helps identify him.
The Franklin community is getting into the holiday spirit: decorations are going up on Main Street and at the Mall, the Christmas parade and tree lighting are scheduled, parties and family events are on the calendar, vacations are planned, there are Christmas programs at area schools and churches, and homes are being covered in lights and greenery. The holidays are special in our city, and this is one of many reasons we all love living here.
The men and women of the FPD want you to have a safe and joyous holiday. We are gearing up, and here are some of the things your Franklin Police Officers are doing now and all through the holidays:
Franklin neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and businesses are being saturated with extra patrols in both marked and unmarked cars on all three shifts; officers are working overtime shifts to ensure extra coverage during this busy time.
We will be sharing information you need to know throughout the holiday season. If you are not signed up for the Franklin Police Department’s various communications channels, please do it now:
Nixle Citizen Alerts on things that we need residents to know of and take action on, immediately. Those alerts are few and far between…probably less than a dozen a year. Just text your zip code to 888777 to opt in.
And finally, Nextdoor.com. Search for your neighborhood and opt-in. We put out some geographically-based info there when we just need to get word to a specific neighborhood or two.
If you’ve ever been curious about what crime looks like in and around your Franklin neighborhood, you can visit Franklin PD’s CrimeReports.com and enter your address. The search is highly customizable, so you can get a good understanding of recent and historical incidents in areas of town that matter most to you.
You will see the Franklin Police Department’s Incident Command Vehicle at the CoolSprings Galleria. There will be an aggressive effort to monitor anyone who comes to our shopping areas with criminal activity on their mind. We do not write citations – just like in the game of Monopoly, they will go directly to jail.
The Franklin Police Department has a camera I call our “eye in the sky”—it will be moved throughout the city to monitor large public events. It is marked with our logo–you will see it at the Christmas Parade, so stop by and check it out.
If you are planning on going out of town, especially during the holidays, you can request officers to check on your home by simply going to our website and signing up for our free Vacation Check Service.
When officers spot something out of place or a potential safety issue while on patrol in your neighborhood, you might find a Crime Prevention Form from an officer advising you what they noted, simply to bring it to your attention and request your assistance.
Many citizens often ask me, “How can I help the Department?” Here are some suggestions:
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, i.e. purses, backpacks, phones, computers, tablets, money, credit cards, guns, etc.
When you return from a shopping trip, do not leave packages in your car where a criminal might see them. This also applies when you go from one store to another – do not leave packages where someone could smash your window and grab what you just bought.
If you have visitors, please have them bring their packages and luggage in with them – do not leave them where they can be seen overnight.
Lock your vehicle and do not leave a key for someone to find. Some people leave an extra key in their glove compartment or console – this is a bad idea.
Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended. Warming it up in your driveway or a parking lot while you run in for a quick second can be an invitation for trouble.
An open garage door overnight can increase your chances of becoming a victim. Please remember to leave them closed.
Always be aware of any valuables you have in a shopping cart, especially purses/wallets.
While officers are doing extra patrols, they are watching when delivery people have left packages at your door – Criminals called “porch pirates” could be following delivery trucks and take packages left on your porch. If you have a place the delivery person can conceal your package, advise them when you place your orders.
If you see or hear anything or anyone that looks suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the Franklin Police Department: (615) 794-2513.
We value the people we serve and will be working hard to help keep you safe from any Grinch who wants to ruin your holiday.
From behind the badge, Chief Deborah Faulkner, EdD
On November 5, Franklin Police asked for the public’s help to identify two burglars who stole from a Franklin church. Anonymous tipsters identified the suspects as Hollie Janz and Richard Webb.
Franklin Police located 50-year-old Janz in Nashville Friday afternoon, and arrested her. Charged with Burglary and Felony Theft, she is free on the $10,000 bond set by the Magistrate. Janz is a convicted felon, currently on parole.
Richard Eugene Webb, 51, has not been located. He is a convicted felon with a violent history. He is wanted by Franklin Police for Burglary and Theft.
There is a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his capture.
