###
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Today, three dedicated police officers have successfully graduated from the Basic Police School at the Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy in Greeneville, Tennessee. Joining 55 other law enforcement professionals across Tennessee, Officers Christopher Fernandez, Jackson Kirkpatrick, and Devin Long were honored during the graduation ceremony for Class 131, held at Walters State Community College.
Officer Christopher Fernandez was recognized with the Firearms Award, showcasing his exceptional skills and commitment. Prior to his service with the Mt. Juliet Police Department, Officer Fernandez proudly served in the Army National Guard for 8 years.
Officer James Kirkpatrick’s journey to law enforcement excellence began early, as he was an active member of the department’s Police Explorer program during high school. Additionally, Officer Kirkpatrick gained valuable experience with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as a dedicated non-sworn civilian employee.
Officer Devin Long contributed his expertise gained from service in the department’s emergency communications center, highlighting his commitment to public safety and effective coordination in critical situations.
“I’m very proud of our three officers, and today was the accumulation of months of hard work, dedication, and ultimately a desire to serve our community, stated Chief Michael Mullins. Very impressed with these three gentlemen!”
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. — The Mt. Juliet Police Department celebrated the promotion of eleven dedicated police officers in a special ceremony held this evening. With their family and colleagues present, the officers’ hard work and dedication, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to serving our community with integrity and dedication, were honored. Their achievement is a reminder of the department’s collective mission– to continue serving our community with commitment, respect, compassion, and honor.
The following promotions were celebrated:
Lieutenant Cory Cook – Day Patrol Commander
Lieutenant Josh Workman – Night Patrol Commander
Sergeant Justin Angle – A-Detail Supervisor
Sergeant Jacob Dean – Training Unit Supervisor
Sergeant Sam Elliott – B-Detail Supervisor
Sergeant Det. Josh Lo – Criminal Investigative Unit Supervisor
Corporal Drake Enghusen – C-Detail Assistant Supervisor
Corporal Kyle Holtmeyer – Training Unit Assistant Supervisor
Corporal Danial LaNata – B-Detail Assistant Supervisor
Corporal Tim Scott – C-Detail Assistant Supervisor
Corporal Det. Megan Smith – Criminal Investigative Unit
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The City of Mt. Juliet proudly welcomes Sami Kincaid as its new Public Information Officer (PIO), where she will serve alongside newly promoted Communications Director Justin Beasley. Following the appointment of Tyler Chandler to Deputy Police Chief, Kincaid will work in lockstep with the Mt. Juliet Police Department admin to continue to build upon the nationally respected MJPD brand that Chandler spearheaded more than a decade ago. Kincaid will also heavily contribute to the Fire Department of Mt. Juliet and all City of Mt. Juliet communication efforts.
A native of Mt. Juliet, Kincaid returned to her hometown in 2021, following a successful journey that included roles at UCF Athletics in Orlando, SEC Nation, and WRCB in Chattanooga. Since her return, Kincaid has been an active figure in the Nashville area, serving as the host and sideline reporter for Friday Night Rivals and contributing as a color analyst for women’s basketball games on SEC Network. Her voice has also resonated on 104.5 The Zone across various shows, notably the Power Hour with Sami Kincaid. While an on-air personality for The Zone, she also managed their social media accounts and serves as a voice for sister station 103.3 Country.
In her position, Kincaid will continue to build the social media presence of both the police and fire departments. Her objective is not only to keep the public informed but also to facilitate a deeper understanding of the first responders dedicated to ensuring community safety. Her timely arrival to the Communications team ensures the City of Mt. Juliet will continue to be the most communicative city in the nation.
Expressing her excitement about the new role, Kincaid stated, “I’m thrilled to highlight everything that makes Mt. Juliet special. I’m passionate about ensuring that residents, businesses, and departments are heard. I look forward to nurturing existing relationships and forming new ones as our city continues to thrive, giving everyone the attention they rightly deserve.”
Outside of her professional endeavors, Kincaid cherishes spending time with her daughter, friends, and family, as well as cheering on the Vols and participating in her church community.
Our community is encouraged to extend a warm welcome to Sami Kincaid when encountering her around town. Her dedication to fostering communication and highlighting the city’s strengths will undoubtedly enrich the Mt. Juliet community.
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – In an effort to prioritize the safety of our community and improve emergency response times, the City of Mt. Juliet is calling on residents to ensure that their house numbers are clearly legible and visible from the street.
Building and house numbers play a crucial role not only in everyday convenience but also in the rapid response of emergency services. Minutes can make a significant difference in emergencies, so it is vital that fire, ambulance, and police personnel can swiftly and easily locate addresses.
Section 12-31 of the City Code mandates that buildings must be numbered, with the following specifications:
For optimal visibility, residents are advised to consider the following when installing or examining house numbers:
In times of emergency, every second counts. We urge residents to take a few moments to inspect and, if necessary, enhance the visibility of their house numbers. This simple step can make a significant impact on the speed and efficiency of emergency responders reaching your location.
Residents are reminded that visible and easily readable house numbers directly contribute to quicker emergency response times, potentially making a life-saving difference. The City of Mt. Juliet appreciates the community’s cooperation in this collective effort to strengthen emergency response.
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – An escapee, wanted by the U.S. Marshals, was apprehended after fleeing an attempted traffic stop and later located with the help of license plate readers and K9 Majlo. This morning, around 9:45 a.m., an officer attempted a traffic stop on a motorist driving the wrong way on S. Mt. Juliet Road near I-40, but the motorist fled. The officer did not give chase. Quickly, the emergency communication center staff entered the car’s license plate into Guardian Shield, the department’s license plate reader program, and it began to watch for potential hits. Moments later, the license plate hit along Beckwith Road, then on Central Pike. Officers intercepted the car, and it fled again. Officers did not give chase. The license plate hit again, leaving Mt. Juliet on S. Mt. Juliet Road and heading towards Stewart’s Ferry Road. An officer checking the area and looking for the fleeing car found a crash scene involving the car, and a witness stated the driver ran away into the nearby woods.
While a containment perimeter was being established around the search area, further investigation identified the driver as 42-year-old Marco Lewis of Nashville, who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals as an escapee in regard to a weapons offense. Lewis was also wanted out of Wilson County from a 2015 warrant related to forgery. A search team consisting of MJPD officers, K9 Majlo, and a Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy entered the woods to follow K9 Majlo’s track. Lewis was located in a creek, where he was not compliant. Eventually, he was apprehended after he attempted to discard different illegal drugs in the water. It is suspected that he also ingested dangerous amounts of drugs, and he was transported to the hospital for care.
Officers located a handgun and additional drugs in the car Lewis was driving. Suspected fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and a large amount of cash were recovered. Lewis will face local charges related to evading, resisting arrest, felon in possession of a weapon, and unlawful drug possession for resale.
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Three Mt. Juliet police officers graduated from the Basic Police School at the Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Academy in Greeneville, Tennessee this morning. Mt. Juliet’s newest police officers Krysta Caltabiano, Brian Lee, and Kurt Scothern, along with 56 other law enforcement officers across Tennessee, took part in a graduation ceremony for Class 130 held at Walters State Community College.
Officer Kurt Scothern received the TN Association of Chiefs of Police’s top honor by receiving the Frank Evans Leadership Award. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree.
Officer Brian Lee served as a college intern with the department in 2022. He is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree.
Officer Krysta Caltabiano served as an emergency communications dispatcher with the department. She is a graduate of Curry College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree, and University of New Haven, receiving a Master of Science degree.
“I am so proud of Krysta, Brian, and Kurt’s accomplishments. They are the last group of officers to attend the police academy while I have served as Chief of Police, and they did so well in the academy- representing Mt. Juliet with excellence. They will be wonderful servants to our community,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick.
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Detectives are concerned about the whereabouts of a missing man, and police are hoping to find him safe. 20-year-old Christhian Morales-Perez has not been heard from since Monday, November 6, 2023. The family reported him missing on November 30th.
Christhian left his residence with some personal belongings and car, a 2013 Blue Chevrolet Cruz that is missing the rear bumper. It is unknown what he was wearing last. It is unusual for him not to communicate with his family this long.
If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of Christhian, they are urged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/.
###
Evanston, Ill. – The department is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Captain Tyler Chandler and Lieutenant James Cothron from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. Both have successfully completed the 22-week Staff and Command program held in Evanston, Illinois, from May 1 to October 1, 2023. The program, implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 21,000 students nationally and internationally. Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron were students in SPSC Class #549, accommodating 25 students for twenty-two weeks.
“SPSC and the FBI National Academy are two elite executive leadership schools sought out by law enforcement command staff worldwide. I’m proud of Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron on this accomplishment. Typically, students in this program step away from their full-time duties while completing the instruction, but Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron remain focused on their normal work duties while excelling in the program, which showed great determination,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “Their heart and dedication to our community and department are outstanding, and I’m grateful for their continued investment and leadership.”
The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in twenty-seven core instruction blocks and additional optional blocks during each session. The major topics include leadership, human resources, employee relations, organizational behavior, applied statistics, planning and policy development, budgeting, and resource allocation. Each student is academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations, quizzes, and a staff study paper, which are all required parts of the curriculum.
The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community. Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training, and Executive Development.
Capt. Chandler and Lt. Cothron are the 3rd and 4th department members to complete such a rigorous program. Lt. Cothron leads the Investigative Services Division, and Capt. Chandler will be sworn in as the Deputy Chief of Police next week after serving as Captain for many years.
###
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade will affect traffic on the north end of N. Mt. Juliet Road, including Lebanon Road and E. Division Street near Mt. Juliet Road, during the afternoon on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Starting at 1:45 p.m., the following stretch of roadways will be closed:
Mt. Juliet’s residents and visitors should plan and be aware of the parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m. from the Mt. Juliet League Fields on Lebanon Road, travels down Mt. Juliet Road, and ends at the train station along E. Division St.
If you attend the parade, the police department suggests arriving before the 1:30 p.m. street closures. This will allow plenty of time to find parking. If you are not attending the parade, you may want to avoid the Mt. Juliet Road corridor to reduce frustration with the road closure and large traffic volume.
Parade Information: Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade Website
Parade Route Map: Map of Parade Route
Remember, there will be a large amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Mt. Juliet Road in the north end of town after the parade. So take your time, and please be considerate. It is estimated that the parade traffic will be clear around 3:00 p.m.
Follow Mt. Juliet Police on Twitter @MtJulietPolice for live and active information about the parade as they happen.
###