‘He’s the reason I wear the badge’- Sgt. Wendy Garrison

Jacksboro Police Station named the Chief William “Bill” Rutherford Memorial Building

Family, friends, fellow officers, department heads and officials from Jacksboro and Caryville were on hand for Monday’s ceremony.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The law enforcement influence of late Jacksboro Police Chief Bill Rutherford, and even his late wife, Renda, is woven within the fabric of the Rutherford family. Knowing that, it’s easy to understand why the new Jacksboro Police Station is named for the former chief, Chief Bill Rutherford.

“Mom, in a skirt, would go on calls with dad. With him, she’d even cuff someone and put them in the cruiser,” chuckled the former chief’s only son, Bill. “Renda was a police academy graduate and a certified officer in addition to being a mother and a wife,” said Jacksboro Chief of Police Daniel Smith.

In the bright lunch hour sunshine, the building was officially named in memory Chief Bill Rutherford. All his children were there, Dawn Mynatt, B.J. Tolliver, Wendy Garrison and Bill. Garrison and B.J. Tolliver’s son, Jordan Tolliver, are in law enforcement. Garrison is a sergeant, and Jordan a deputy, both with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Garrison is a 21 year veteran.

The framed sign is mounted in the center of the outside of the front of the Jacksboro Police Office.

“She’s most like dad. She (Wendy) has his passion,” said Dawn Mynatt. “That’s why I wear the badge because of the my dad,” said Garrison.

“Dad would be so tickled. He lived and breathed his service calling himself a servant for the people,” said son Bill who serves as chaplain for the Jacksboro Police Force. “This, law enforcement, is all I’ve ever been around. I was raised around it,” said the younger Rutherford.

The children of former Jacksboro Police Chief Bill Rutherford were on hand Monday for the dedication of the Jacksboro Police Station named in memory of their father. Left to right are Dawn Mynatt, Bill Rutherford, B.J. Tolliver and Wendy Garrison. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY RUTHERFORD)

Chief Rutherford started with Jacksboro Police in 1972, four years after Jacksboro became incorporated. He left for while and returned in the 1980s until he retired in 1991. “He served as a constable until his death in 2017,” said son Bill. The chief was also a charter member of the Jacksboro Fire Department.

A lot of tears were shed by the Rutherford children when they learned a while back that the building would bear their father’s name. “It means a whole lot. All we’ve known is law enforcement. Dad would’ve been proud,” said Mynatt.

Jacksboro Mayor Shayne Green, a former law enforcement officer, patrolled with my dad when they were both with Jacksboro Police, according to Chief Rutherford’s son, Bill.

It was definitely a day for the family as Jordan Tolliver, the chief’s grandson, hands off young Jamie. Going back to Chief Bill and Renda, Jamie represents the fourth generation.

Some of the biggest memories for Mynatt surround JPD. “We were at the haunted houses, the toy drives, dad loved that. I’m so very honored,” said Mynatt.

“It was several of us who came up with the idea for the naming; the mayor and council and me. We all agreed it would be a good thing to do to name this building in the chief’s memory. I knew him for several years and met him when he was a constable, just a really good person, and his wife, too,” said JPD Chief Daniel Smith.

“Of course everyone thinks their dad is the greatest, and I’m no different. To know that people still think of him like we do warms your heart,” said B.J. Tolliver.

“This honor speaks volumes about dad’s character. This is their (law enforcement) calling, and it was dad’s calling,” said the chief’s son, Bill. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/11/2024-6AM)