THP Colonel Dereck Stewart retiring after distinguished career

TOP PHOTO: Following the announcement of Colonel Dereck Stewart’s retirement, Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner Jeff Long promoted Lieutenant Colonel Matt Perry as the next Colonel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Dereck Stewart has announced that he will retire December 15, 2020, after 33 years of distinguished service to the State of Tennessee.

Colonel Stewart became a state trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Montgomery County in 1987 and rose through the ranks before he became Colonel in 2018. Notably, Colonel Stewart became the first African-American Colonel in the history of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“Serving the Tennessee Highway Patrol as the 14^th Colonel is one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Colonel Dereck Stewart. “I joined this organization, as so many others before me, in hopes of making a positive difference. I love this organization, all that it represents and stands for.”

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said, “Colonel Stewart is the exemplar of the trooper values and has led the THP with integrity and professionalism.

I can assure you, there was no more prominent champion for the troopers and the brand of the THP than him.”

Colonel Stewart has been influential in the law enforcement community as a whole – serving most recently on the International Association of Chiefs of Police Board of Directors. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 230 and the FBI National Executive Institute, Session 39. Colonel Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

With Colonel Stewart’s retirement, Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner Jeff Long promoted Lieutenant Colonel Matt Perry as the next Colonel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“Lieutenant Colonel Perry has demonstrated his leadership abilities and his vast knowledge of THP,” said Commissioner Long. “The future of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is bright, and I know he will carry the momentum, respect and honor of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.”

Colonel Stewart stated, “I appreciate that the Commissioner and the Governor accepted my recommendation of Lieutenant Colonel Matt Perry as my replacement as Colonel. I am confident that Matt will do a great job and build upon our rich history while adapting to new challenges facing law enforcement today.”

Lieutenant Colonel Perry started his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. In 2004, Perry joined THP and rose through the ranks in both the administrative and field bureaus. Lieutenant Colonel Perry’s full bio can be viewed here.

Lieutenant Colonel Perry earned a bachelor’s degree and is working towards his master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/10/2020-6AM)