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.