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 Engagement Unit, 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.

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.

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 Engagement Unit.

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.

Deputy Chief Chris Kauffman was promoted to Deputy Chief over Law Enforcement Operations in 2025.

He started his career at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 where he worked in the Patrol Division as a Canine Handler. He served five years at the Murfreesboro Police Department working in the Patrol Division and as a detective in the VICE/Narcotics Unit before joining the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in 1997.

Kauffman has worked at the Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, and narcotics detective and sergeant. He was assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Task Force while in narcotics.

He served more than 20 years on the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team holding positions as a Marksman, Entry Team Member and SWAT commander. He was promoted to lieutenant of the Training Division. He has supervised the Patrol Division as captain for three years.

Kauffman is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Class 332.

Before becoming a law enforcement officer, Kauffman served as a security police officer in the United States Air Force and is a veteran having served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Deputy Chief Brian Harbaugh joined the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office as general counsel in 2024 and was promoted to deputy chief in 2025.

He began his law enforcement career in 1997 with the City of Lebanon Police Department as a patrol officer before being promoted to detective. He worked as a patrol officer and domestic violence detective for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Harbaugh started specializing as a child sex abuse detective for the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, a specialization throughout his career. He became a child forensic interviewer and served on the Wilson County Child Advocacy Center Board for 14 years.

He joined the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation where he specialized in conducting Criminal Behavioral Analysis Investigations. He is a graduate and former instructor at the National Forensic Academy where he also taught Criminal Behavioral Analysis.

Harbaugh earned his law degree from Nashville School of Law in 2023 and worked as an assistant district attorney for the 15th Judicial District.

He served with the U.S. Army Reserve as a counter-intelligence agent for eight years.

Harbaugh earned his Master of Arts degree in counseling and his Bachelor of Arts degree in management and human relations from Trevecca Nazarene University.