Franklin Police Officer celebrated for 25 years of service; Officer Russ Lockard to retire, today

Officer Russ Lockard began his 25-year career with the Franklin Police Department in 1995 as an emergency dispatcher. Quickly realizing his passion for police work, he soon transferred to the Patrol Division as a full-time Franklin Police Officer and has never looked back!

In addition to his current assignment to the Department’s Field Operations Division, Lockard’s distinguished career includes assignments as a SWAT Operator, Field Training Officer, Detective, and Interim Sergeant leading the Department’s Officer Training Program.

Officer Lockard is a two-time recipient of the Chief’s Coin in recognition of his excellence while leading the Department’s training program, where he specialized in firearms training and emergency vehicle operations.

Officer Lockard’s contributions to the Franklin Police Department over the past 25 years have been immeasurable, and he will be greatly missed by his Franklin PD family. Russ looks forward to spending more time with his wife of 27 years, Ann, and their daughter Ashley.

“Franklin is a beautiful city, and it has been a privilege to watch its growth for the past 25 years,” said Lockard. “I will certainly miss the people that I have been fortunate enough to connect with while working here.”

Colleagues, friends, and citizens can leave their sentiments and well-wishes for Officer Lockard by posting them in our Leave a Reply field, below. 

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Detectives release new images from Franklin Starbucks robbery; cash reward for info

Detectives in Franklin have released new images of Monday’s Starbucks robber and his getaway car. Officers responded to the South Royal Oaks Blvd location shortly before 3:30, Monday afternoon, after a man entered the business, presented a pistol, and demanded cash.

The robber was a white male with brown hair. He was wearing a camo jacket at the time of the robbery. Take a look at his car and pay special attention to the damaged driver’s side rear quarter panel.

There is a cash reward for
information in this case:
Call Crime Stoppers: (615) 794-4000
or click to submit an anonymous eTip
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Crime Stoppers cash offered for ID of felony shoplifters

Franklin Police are seeking information on a couple of jewelry thieves. On October 13, these women stole about $1,300 worth of jewelry from a display case at Express, in the CoolSprings Galleria. They left in this maroon Nissan Murano. 

Recognize them?
Call Crime Stoppers: (615) 794-4000
or click to submit an anonymous eTip

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Police investigating armed robbery at South Royal Oaks Starbucks

Franklin Police responded to the Starbucks at 204 South Royal Oaks shortly before 3:30 after an armed man entered the business, presented a pistol in his waistband, and demanded money.

Franklin Police are looking for this vehicle that the robber left in.  The vehicle had a temp tag and damage on the drivers side read corner panel. Investigators are working to obtain addition footage of the suspect and vehicle.  No one was injured during the robbery.

A cash reward of up to $1,000
is available for an anonymous tip
that leads to this suspect’s identification.
Call Crime Stoppers: (615) 794-4000
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3x DUI driver arrested after driving wrong-way on I-65

Thanks to the quick action of a few Franklin Police Officers, a dangerous drunk driver is behind bars after driving the wrong way on I-65. Tuesday night at about 10:30, calls from southbound I-65 drivers began pouring in about a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes between the Goose Creek Bypass and Murfreesboro Rd. Officers radioed ahead for the interstate to be closed down in hopes of avoiding a head-on crash. This dash-cam video shows Franklin Officers boxing the drunk driver in moments before his arrest.

Robert Long
Age: 31
Nashville, TN

Charged with DUI – 3rd Offense, Felony Evading, Reckless Endangerment, Driving on the Wrong Side of a Divided Highway, Violation of the Implied Consent Law, and Disorderly Conduct, 31-year-old Robert Long, of Nashville, remains jailed on the $10,000 bond set by the Magistrate.

Drive drunk, get nailed
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Citizen tips land Franklin porch pirate behind bars

 

Rafael Jimenez, Jr.
Age: 45
Nashville, Tennessee

Franklin Police published this video on September 3, asking for the public’s help with identifying a package thief caught on camera. The Department received numerous tips that helped detectives develop Rafael Jimenez, Jr. as the suspect. Police have been looking for him ever since.

A break in the case came after a CrimeStoppers tip led police to a location where he was staying, yesterday in Nashville. Jimenez was arrested without incident and booked into the Williamson County Jail.

In addition to being wanted by Franklin Police, Jimenez is also wanted by Sumner, Maury, and Davidson Counties on multiple, unrelated charges.

Charged with x2 counts of Theft, x2 counts of Criminal Trespass, x2 counts of Failure to Appear on Previous Charges, and x2 Counts of Violation of Probation, Jimenez is being held in Franklin on a $34,000 bond.

Franklin Police credit Ring doorbell footage, good detective work, and engaged citizens with closing this case.

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Now Hiring: Franklin PD Seeking Qualified, Tennessee POST Certified Police Officers

Now through November 13, the Franklin Police Department is accepting applications from Tennessee P.O.S.T certified officers who would like to join the force.  

Under limited supervision, Franklin Police Officers patrol assigned zones while exercising responsibility for the enforcement of state and local laws relating to public safety and welfare. They control traffic, prevent crime and disturbances of the peace, and arrest violators. While working under often stressful, high-risk conditions, our officers apply good independent judgment when dealing with dangerous or unusual situations, and implement safe practices and procedures.

  • Testing & interviews held December 7, 2020
  • $47,507, must be Tennessee P.O.S.T. Certified;
    $50k after completing probation.
  • Take-home car program
  • 4-day work week
  • On-site fitness facilities
  • Vacation & sick leave, paid personal days, and 10 additional paid holidays
  • Annual uniform & equipment allowance
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Medical, dental, vision benefits

Education and Experience:
The required knowledge, skill, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties are normally acquired through attainment of an Associate’s degree or equivalent from two-year College or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

click-to-apply-button

Franklin PD investigating copper theft case

Franklin Police are seeking information on a case involving a building under construction at 4000 Rush Street. Sometime over this past weekend, someone cut several electrical wires in what appears to have been an attempt to steal copper. The contractor is estimating rewiring and other damage costs at more than $200,000.

This is a busy area near an apartment complex, condominiums, and several businesses, so police are hoping that someone may remember seeing something that could help solve the case. There is a cash reward for information.

Call Crime Stoppers:
(615) 794-4000
or click to submit an anonymous eTip
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Franklin Police to Close Historic Downtown Neighborhood Streets on Halloween

Franklin Police Officers will be focusing on neighborhood safety as community kids gear up to trick-or-treat in less than two weeks. While it’s unclear what level of participation the community will experience, officers will be doing their part to ensure a safe, enjoyable Halloween for Franklin residents.

Due to its traditionally high volume of pedestrian activity, Franklin Police Officers will close West Main Street and Fair Street to vehicle traffic between 7th & 11th Avenues, and 9th Avenue between Natchez St. & 96W, to help make it safe for trick-or-treaters.

Closure times:
5 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, October 31
(see the map).

CDC guidance and other helpful information on safely celebrating amid a pandemic can be found here: CDC Halloween Guidance


Trick-or-treat days & times in Franklin
are set by individual neighborhoods and homeowner associations.


Statistics show that children are at higher risk of being hit by a car and seriously injured on Halloween than any other night of the year. Reasons include:

  • They often choose to take the shortest route, which may mean darting out between parked cars rather than taking the safer route of crossing at corners.
  • They are not good at evaluating potential traffic threats.
  • They are more likely to ignore their peripheral vision and are generally less attentive to their surroundings.
  • They tend to take more risks.
  • They cannot cross the street as rapidly as adults.
  • They may be distracted by other children’s costumes and actions, and home decorations.

Police encourage parents to trick-or-treat with their kids,
and to tell them that some people driving
cars may not see or slow down for them.


To search for information on registered sex offenders
living in proximity to specific geographic locations,
click to visit the Sex Offender Registry.

 T pumkin

@FranklinTNPD
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Police stepping up patrols after rash of auto burglaries in several quiet Franklin neighborhoods

Detectives are investigating dozens of auto burglaries that occurred during overnight hours this past week in several, normally quiet, Franklin subdivisions.

All of the victims’ vehicles were left unlocked, and things inside like electronics, purses, and wallets were stolen. These criminals are bold, and many of the victim vehicles were entered while they sat parked in their owners’ driveways. In one case, thieves stole a victim’s car after finding the key left inside.

As seen in this home surveillance video, these kind of thieves quietly approach and check car door handles to see if the car is unlocked. If it is, they steal anything inside that they can find; if it’s not … they simply walk away. The Department is asking residents to lock their car doors before going to bed.

 

The Department is stepping up neighborhood patrols, and even using covert police vehicles in an effort to catch criminals in the act.

If you notice overnight activations on your home camera system, please review the video and call Franklin Police if you have footage that might help. And do the #9pmRoutine … every night: Remove your valuables, lock your cars & home, and leave an outside light on.

If you have any information that
you think might be helpful in these cases,
call Franklin Police:
(615) 794-2513
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