Tennessee

Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford dies in East Tennessee; procession escorts him home to Gallatin

Published

2 years ago

August 3, 2024

Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford dies in East Tennessee; procession escorts him home to Gallatin

Sumner County Sheriff Roy “Sonny” Weatherford died Friday at the age of 65. A procession of law enforcement vehicles brought him home to Gallatin from Pigeon Forge, where Weatherford was attending the nearby 2024 Sheriffs’ Association Conference.

The long line of flashing blue lights passed by the sheriff’s office on Smith Street where law enforcement officers and community members gathered to honor Weatherford’s four decades of service to middle Tennessee. Weatherford’s cause of death has not been released, but a statement from law enforcement officials referred to his death as the result of a “sudden medical condition.”

“Sheriff Weatherford dedicated his life to the service and protection of our community, embodying the very essence of commitment, bravery, and integrity,” Sumner County Mayor John Isbell said in a statement. “In every action and decision, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice and the well-being of every citizen.”

Isbell and other local leaders took to social media Friday to remember Weatherford’s legacy as “a great man and a wonderful leader,” according to a statement from the Hendersonville Police Department.

Weatherford graduated from Gallatin High School and Volunteer State Community College in the 1970s before starting his career in law enforcement with the Portland Police Department. He rose in the ranks from patrolman to sergeant and chief deputy within Sumner County, and in 2010, he became the county sheriff. Weatherford served as sheriff for 14 years.

Tennessee State Rep. Johnny Garrett called Weatherford a “steadfast public servant that dedicated his life protecting the citizens of Sumner County” and asked the community to join him in prayers for the family, including Weatherford’s wife Tammy and their two sons.

Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association employee Shelby Lee Schiavone said in a statement on social media that she was part of the procession that transported Weatherford across the state.

“From leaving the hospital in Knoxville to arriving in Gallatin, all I could think of was how my beloved Sheriff Sonny Weatherford, would so appreciate the honor from all agencies that helped escort him home,” she said.

Schiavone recounted vehicles that joined to escort the group through each county, officers standing in the rain to block traffic and people lined up on overpasses to honor Weatherford as the procession passed through.

“It was a sight that I will not forget,” she said. “It was one that puts a smile on your face while tears run down your cheeks.”

In the wake of Weatherford’s death, Chief Deputy Eric Craddock is leading the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.

Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.

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Tennessee

State encouraging Paramount to come to Tennessee

Published

2 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Press Room

State encouraging Paramount to come to Tennessee

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Tennessee

How did your school district do? New TCAP scores released across Southeast Tennessee

Published

14 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

How did your school district do? New TCAP scores released across Southeast Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — New TCAP results are giving parents their first look at how students performed across Southeast Tennessee during the 2025-26 school year.

Among the districts in the Chattanooga area, Dayton City Schools posted the highest proficiency rates in English language arts and social studies, while Rhea County led the region in math.

Here’s how districts in the Tennessee portion of the NewsChannel 9 viewing area performed:

Hamilton County:

English language arts: 40.3%
Math: 39.9%
Social studies: 49.7%

Bradley County:

English language arts: 45.1%
Math: 43.5%
Social studies: 46.7%

Marion County:

English language arts: 37.9%
Math: 30.6%
Social studies: 43.3%

Grundy County:

English language arts: 32.1%
Math: 30.7%
Social studies: 39.4%

Sequatchie County:

English language arts: 34.1%
Math: 32.0%
Social studies: 46.4%

Bledsoe County:

English language arts: 39.8%
Math: 34.8%
Social studies: 49.8%

Rhea County:

English language arts: 44.0%
Math: 46.1%
Social studies: 51.4%

Meigs County:

English language arts: 37.3%
Math: 32.2%
Social studies: 41.0%

McMinn County:

English language arts: 41.1%
Math: 39.5%
Social studies: 50.0%

Polk County:

English language arts: 35.1%
Math: 27.2%
Social studies: 43.0%

Cleveland City Schools:

English language arts: 33.9%
Math: 31.3%
Social studies: 36.0%

Dayton City Schools:

English language arts: 45.7%
Math: 45.2%
Social studies: 63.9%

Richard Hardy Memorial School:

English language arts: 23.6%
Math: 25.0%
Social studies: 21.4%

Etowah City Schools:

English language arts: 34.0%
Math: 34.0%
Social studies: 30.6%

Several local districts finished above the statewide proficiency average.

Bradley County, Rhea County and Dayton City exceeded the state average in both English language arts and math.

Rhea County and Dayton City also outperformed the statewide average in social studies, while McMinn County matched the state average in that subject.

Hamilton County school leaders are expected to present a more detailed look at the district’s TCAP results during Thursday night’s school board meeting.

Depend on us to keep you posted.

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Tennessee

Heavy police presence reported near Highway 31W in White House

Published

1 day ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Heavy police presence reported near Highway 31W in White House

WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A heavy law enforcement presence was reported Tuesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House.

FOX 17 News has a crew headed to the scene and is working to learn more about the situation.

Law enforcement vehicles line a roadway near the intersection of U.S. Highway 31W and Rolling Meadows Road in White House, Tennessee, as authorities respond to an active incident on Tuesday. Officials had not released details about the investigation at the time the photo was taken. (Photo: FOX 17 News )

A viewer told FOX 17 News a man was barricaded inside a home with other people inside. However, FOX 17 News has not independently confirmed those details.

Once at the scene, FOX 17 News learned that a man who was inside the home during the operation had exited the residence. FOX 17 News is working to obtain more information on the incident that is now subsiding.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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