Three Officers accounted for 46% of the Department’s 260 DUI arrests in 2020. Officer Aaron Moore, Master Patrol Officer Wesley Johnson, and Master Patrol Officer Michael Oliver all work the Department’s midnight shift, where impaired driving seems most prevalent.
The officers were recently recognized by MADD, at their annual Nashville banquet, for their impressive efforts to combat impaired driving. These officers have worked diligently to protect the streets of Franklin from impaired drivers and spent countless hours in court with the hope of reducing injuries and deaths caused by such an avoidable crime.
According to MADD, there are 10,265 deaths a year from impaired driving (that’s 28 deaths a day or 1 death every 51 minutes). More than 290,000 people are injured each year by impaired drivers.
Tuck
LeCates
Two other officers were recently recognized for their efforts in traffic safety. Officers J.P. Sullivan Tuck and Officer Joe LeCates were honored by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for their vigilant enforcement of Tennessee’s hands-free law, and for stopping and citing drivers who overtake stopped school busses with their lights flashing and stop signs extended.
Kudos to the Franklin Police team for their traffic safety efforts that help keep Franklin roads safe.
This morning during a school assembly at Pearre Creek Elementary, Franklin Police honored an 8-year-old girl for her heroic actions.
Last Friday, Williamson County Schools were closed due to illness – butlittle did 8-year-old Freya Macallan know that her day off from school would make her a hero at home. On February 7, Freya found her mom unconscious on the floor. Susan was suffering an unexpected medical emergency.
Freya called 9-1-1 and followed the dispatcher’s instructions until emergency personnel arrived to give Susan the care she needed. During this terrifying ordeal, Freya provided the assistance that her mom needed while working to keep her 6-year-old sister and 4-year-old brother calm. Freya knew to call 9-1-1 because her parents had talked with her, beforehand, about how to get help during an emergency.
Sergeant Bob Kupczyk and Officer Mike Martinez presented Freya with the Franklin Police Department’s Award for Excellence for an amazing job well-done. The Department also gave Freya a gift card to Chuck E. Cheese’s, so she could treat her parents and siblings to an afternoon on the town.
Chief Faulkner got a surprise visit from the Office of the Secretary of Defense this morning at Franklin Police Headquarters. She was honored with the Patriotic Employer Award for her contributions to National Security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force. Chief Faulkner was nominated for the award by Franklin Police Officer Steve Chittanavong who recently served in an overseas deployment.
Chief Faulkner said, “Being nominated by one of my officers makes me especially proud to be recognized with this award. I am extremely proud of our officers who not only serve our city, but also our country. They all serve with pride and professionalism.” This is the second time in her five years as Franklin’s Police Chief that Faulkner has been honored with this award.
Sergeant Paul Arnold, 61, was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Growing up, the police officers in his hometown captured his attention, his admiration, and his heart. Paul Arnold grew up to be what he said he was going to be: a police officer.
Sergeant Arnold started his law enforcement career in his hometown, as a Chattanooga Police Officer in 1980. His life of law enforcement service led him from there to the United States Marshal Service, the Department of Agriculture, and finally to the Franklin Police Department. His first day in service to Franklin citizens and the Franklin Police Department was January 14, 1991.
In his nearly 29 years of service as one of Franklin’s finest, Sergeant Arnold has served as a Patrol Officer and Patrol Sergeant, leading our first line of defense against crime and criminals. In keeping with his passion for health and fitness, Sergeant Arnold built a strong FPD Physical Fitness Program from the ground up and still helps to manage that program today. Sergeant Arnold serves as the Department’s Armorer and Gunsmith, ensuring that our equipment is, at all times, mission-ready.
In 2017, Sergeant Arnold was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award for his outstanding and praiseworthy service to the Franklin Police Department and community despite his life-altering battle with cancer. Sergeant Arnold and Theodore Roosevelt both overcame odds that were stacked against them to accomplish vigorous and productive lives of public service. Sergeant Arnold is the only Franklin Police Officer to receive this national award.
“The thing I’ll miss most is spending my days with the people I’ve worked with,” said Sergeant Arnold. “It’s those people who make the Franklin Police Department what it is. It’s not the building, or the cars, or anything else … it’s the people. Relationships are what I’ve treasured most throughout my career, and those relationships are what make the Department what it is, and why we’ve been able to accomplish so much.”
When asked what advice or encouragement he would share with his colleagues, Sergeant Arnold said, “Police officers routinely deal with so much bad — so I encourage my contemporaries to strive to find and celebrate something good, every day.” Paul’s admiration for his wife of 31 years, Dawn, and his 94-year-old mom, Kathryn, are apparent to everyone who’s ever met him. “Dawn’s love, and care, and support through the years — especially during this illness, have been immeasurable.”
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Chief Faulkner said, “Sergeant Paul Arnold is a great example of what a professional law enforcement officer is: courageous, dedicated, resilient, loyal, honorable – he always puts others first. He is above all else our friend. He inspires us all to do good work and continue to serve the people of Franklin with pride.”
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend Sergeant Arnold’s retirement ceremony to celebrates the life, career, and resolve of one of Franklin’s finest:
Thursday, June 6, 2019
2:00 p.m.
Franklin Police Headquarters
900 Columbia Avenue
After 32 years of service to the Franklin Community, Sergeant Gary Haufmann is retiring.
Sgt. Haufmann joined the Department in 1985. Fresh out of Belmont College, Haufmann was drawn to a career with the Franklin Police Department because of the opportunity it gave him to serve his childhood home in a special way.
Haufmann grew up in Franklin’s Meadowgreen neighborhood, graduating from Franklin High School in 1980. Haufmann was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1991 – a role he says has been perfect for him.
“I’ve really enjoyed being a police officer in my hometown,” said Haufmann. “After being promoted to sergeant, I knew that I wanted to take care of the men and women I supervised and enjoyed watching over them as they watched over our city.”
Haufmann served for three years in Criminal Investigations and three years in the Department’s Administrative Division. During his assignment there, Haufmann hosted several sessions of the Department’s Citizens Academy. The remainder of his 32-year career was spent patrolling Franklin’s streets.
“What I’ll miss most is spending time with the good people I’ve worked with through the years,” said Sgt. Haufmann. “I’m looking very forward to relaxing with my wife and investing more time at home with family.”
Tonight is Sergeant Haufmann’s final tour of duty. The Franklin Police Department thanks Sgt. Haufmann for his service, and wishes him the very best in his next chapter.
Friends, family, and fellow officers will come together at Police Headquarters Friday, at 3 pm, to bid farewell to Detective Andy Green.
Detective Green’s first day on the job was February 3, 1992. His distinguished career has included assignments to midnight and afternoon shift patrol, and a special assignment to public housing — which earned Green and his partner the honor of Optimist Club Officers of the Year in 2000.
As a Field Training Officer, Green taught new police recruits what they needed to know about protecting Franklin. Other assignments in Det. Green’s career include SWAT, Bike Patrol, and a 9-month assignment as acting sergeant.
Officer Green became Detective Green after a 2002 promotion. As a member of the Criminal Investigation Division, Det. Green’s assignments included Narcotics & Vice, and a special assignment to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Nashville Task Force. During that eight-year assignment, Det. Green was involved in investigations impacting middle Tennessee and other communities across the U.S. Detective Green is the current President of Williamson County’s Fraternal Order of Police.
“Detective Green has dedicated 25 years of his life to the Franklin Police Department and the citizens we serve,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “He has worked hard and helped to make Franklin a better place. We wish him well.”
Detective Green will be honored at a reception at Franklin Police Headquarters, Friday at 3:00 pm, where friends, family, and the public are welcome.
At a Criminal Investigation Division meeting, this afternoon, Chief Deborah Faulkner presented newly assigned Detective Megan Valentin with her official Detective credentials. The Chief expressed to everyone in attendance that detectives have an immense responsibility of helping victims through incredibly tragic circumstances.
Later, at this afternoon’s C-Shift Roll Call, Chief Faulkner presented newly promoted Sergeant Scott Quinn with his credentials.
“A sergeant is our most visible rank of police supervision,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “Sergeants have the opportunity to mentor young officers and ensure that they safely live up to their duty of protecting our citizens. I congratulate Sergeant Quinn and Detective Valentin for a job well-done, and welcome them into their new, very important roles.”
Detective Valentin began her career as a Franklin Police Officer in 2007, after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University. Sergeant Quinn will be assigned to the Department’s A-Shift, which starts its tour of duty at 9:00 p.m. Quinn came to the Franklin Police Department from the Columbus Mississippi Police Department in 2007. Sergeant Quinn proudly served as a United States Marine.
Detective Zach Wolfe was among those honored by the Sons of the American Revolution at the Hiram Masonic Lodge, Sunday, in downtown Franklin. The below citation was read just prior to Wolfe being presented with the Law Enforcement Commendation Award by the Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Family, friends, and co-workers joined Chief Deborah Faulkner in honoring Detective Wolfe at Sunday’s ceremony.
“Detective Wolfe is a fierce protector of the innocent, and confronter of criminals who threaten our safety,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “Putting others first is a common theme in Detective Wolfe’s service, and his life.”
The Citation: Franklin Police Officers pride themselves on providing exceptional service and professionalism to Franklin citizens, visitors to our city, and to one another. In the same spirit with which Lt. Andrew Crockett served the people of his day, Franklin Police Detective Zach Wolfe serves us with distinction and devotion.
Detective Wolfe’s service to Franklin began on May 14, 2007. His service to his fellow man, however, began long before – in his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee. There, at an early age, Zach developed his sense of service and learned the importance of community – bringing each with him to Franklin, 10 years ago. In his tenure with the Franklin Police Department, Zach has served as a Police Officer, member of the Department’s Flex Team, a Master Patrol Officer, and now – Detective.
Detective Wolfe’s tireless investigation into a series of violent armed robberies plaguing middle Tennessee helped lead to the identification of two armed and dangerous suspects. With only one of the two in custody, Detective Wolfe would not be satisfied until the remaining felon was behind bars. With the intuition that the suspect might visit his mother on Easter at her Murfreesboro Apartment, Detective Wolfe gave up Easter with his own family, back home in Savannah. He asked two others to give up Easter with their families, as well – and they did, because they saw how much it mattered to Zach … and if it mattered to Zach, it mattered to them. Easter away from their family was not wasted, as the suspect arrived just as this keen, devoted protector of our community had predicted. Because of that devotion, and the distinction with which Detective Wolfe serves, Franklin is a safe place.
While this is one example, there are countless others of Detective Wolfe’s exceptional service to the Franklin Police Department, his fellow officers, and our citizens. Detective Wolfe’s service to our community is a testament to his raising and his roots. It is also representative of the same spirit that Lt. Andrew Crockett served the people in our community of his time. The Franklin Police Department is proud of Detective Zach Wolfe and his devotion and dedicated service to Franklin. We are deeply honored by the presentation of the Law Enforcement Commendation Award to him, by the Lt. Andrew Crockett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Five Franklin Police Officers’ kids who are heading to college this fall were awarded $1,000 scholarships, last night, by an organization that exists solely to show support for Franklin Police Officers and their families.
Left to right: LEAP President Don Warden, Representative Sam Whitson, Nicole Taylor, Bob Selph, Matney Justus, Craig Owens, Matthew Bergmann, Hannah Lawrence, Barb Izzo, Tim Wait, John Eibl, Emily Stephens, Naomi Drake | Not pictured: Tessa Frazier | LEAP Board members in black embroidered polos)
The Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership (LEAP) is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization made up of graduates of the Franklin Police Department Citizens Police Academy, each of whom remains steadfast in their dedication to supporting Franklin Police Officers.
Only two lucky winners were supposed to receive last night’s scholarships. After calling all five applicants to the stage, however, LEAP surprised everyone in attendance by announcing that all five were being awarded college scholarships.
The men and women of the Franklin Police Department are humbled by the continual outpouring of support shown to us by the people who make up this extraordinary organization.
On Tuesday, 08/08/2017, at 6:00 pm the Law Enforcement Assistance Partnership (LEAP) will award college scholarships to the children of several Franklin Police Officers. LEAP is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization made up of graduates of the Franklin Police Department’s Citizen Academy, each of whom remains steadfast in their dedication to supporting Franklin Police Officers.
LEAP welcomes FPD Citizens’ Police Academy alumni, and other members of the Franklin community, wishing to show their continued support of Franklin Police Officers to attend this one-hour event at Franklin Police Headquarters, tomorrow.
