Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh was elected as Rutherford County Sheriff in September, 2018.

He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1994 as a patrol officer and soon trained new deputies. He served as a patrol sergeant, lieutenant and captain. He supervised the communications, records and warrants divisions. He earned the Rutherford County Crime Stoppers’ Officer of the Year.

Fitzhugh started out his career at BellSouth where he rose in the ranks to serve as manager of marketing, corporate and community affairs, personnel and business marketing.

He is a graduate of Central High School in Murfreesboro. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

Fitzhugh volunteered at the Rutherford County Rescue Squad and served as the director for four years.

He and his wife, Janice, have six children and 16 grandchildren. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro.

Fitzhugh is an active support of MTSU football and men’s and women’s basketball. He enjoys reading and lake activities.

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Chief Deputy Keith Lowery

Keith D. Lowery serves as Deputy Chief of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Lowery, an Army veteran, started his law enforcement career in 1987 as a corrections deputy and a patrol deputy at the Sheriff's Office.  He joined Smyrna Police Department as a patrol officer in 1990, later promoted to detective, the working his way up to Captain of the Special Services Division.

He has previously served as a Major and Director of the Information Services Division at the Sheriff's Office, as Assistant Chief of Police at La Vergne Police Department, then returned to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office as Deputy Chief.

"I endeavor to help the Sheriff's Office continue to progress," Lowery said.  "I want to move people in a common direction, to assist in completing projects and to undertake any unforeseen challenges.  It is my vision to maintain and expand the rapport with the other public safety agencies and to continue to grow in my career as a serving within public safety."

His responsibilities include direct command of the Communications Division and the Information Technology Division.  He supervises the Deputy Chiefs who command the Criminal Investigations, Patrol, Special Enforcement Bureau, Detention, School Resource Officers, Administration, Evidence, Maintenance, Fleet, Warrants and Records, Community Services, and the Judicial/Court Security Divisions.

Chief Lowery is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and Oakland High School.  He studied communications and robotics at the National Radio Institute.  He completed FBI LEEDA Trilogy training, and numerous technical operations, command, or management courses during his 34-year law enforcement career.  Chief Lowery has also received honors as Smyrna Police Department's Officer of the Year, and APCO IT Technician of the Year.

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Britt Reed, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement

Deputy Chief Britt Reed supervises the law enforcement divisions of the Sheriff's Office including patrol, criminal investigations, school resource officers, judicial services and civil and criminal warrants.

He joined the Sheriff's Office in 1995 as a patrol deputy. He was promoted to detective four years later. He rose through the ranks as detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant and detective captain until becoming a major in June 2022.

He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration and his master's degree in criminal justice at MTSU.

Reed completed the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Staff and Command and the FBI LEEDA Leadership Trilogy of Supervisor Leadership Institute, Executive Leadership Institute and Command Leadership Institute

He completed specialized training in crimes against children, homicide and fire investigations, SWAT leadership, tactical operations and FBI LEEDA Supervisor Liability and Terrorism.

Reed is a board member of the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center.

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 Kevin Henderson, Deputy Chief of Adult Detention Center

Deputy Chief Kevin Henderson started his role at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center November 1, 2021.  He served 30 years at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and Division of Corrections.  He rose through the ranks to be captain.  He recently retired as chief of security with the Division of Corrections.

As chief of security, Henderson handled security issues for inmates, staff, maintenance, meal service and transportation.  He supervised about 400 employees at two corrections facilities.

"During my tenure, we became a fiscally solid system.  First and foremost I am a servant of the taxpayers," Henderson said.  He strives to get the best out of the staff.  "I'm a culture changer," said Henderson adding he is a team builder and very inclusive.  " I am a stickler for order and I like for things to be done right."

Deputy Chief Henderson is a 25-year veteran.  He served in the Iraq war during six years of active duty, four years with the U.S. Navy and two years with the Air National Guard.  He served as a U.S. Marines medic.  He remained in the Army National Guard.

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Steve Spence, Deputy Chief of Support Services

   Deputy Chief Steve Spence is a 34-year law enforcement veteran who joined the Rutherford County Sheriff's office in 1987.

   He has risen through the ranks and served in several assignments including detention, patrol, and training.

   As the previous major, Spence supervised the Patrol Division, Criminal and Civil Warrants, the Criminal Investigations Division, School Resource Officers, and Judicial Services.

   Spence leads the Support Services Division including administrative services and human resources, payroll, accounts payable, central warrants and records, law enforcement training, facility management, fleet management and  community services.

He was the Special Weapons and Tactics Team commander and one of the original members when the SWAT team was established.  He also served as the Rutherford County Chairman for Homeland Security District 5.

Spence completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (LEEDA) Executive Command Leadership Course, along with several specialized schools, including Basic Terrorism Liaison Officer Course, Crisis Intervention Training Course, Crisis Intervention Training Instructor Course and Train the Trainer Course in Incident Command Systems.

He earned the Rutherford County Crime Stoppers' Officer of the Year and was awarded the Noon Exchange Club Officer of the Year.