Chris Kauffman, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement

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.