DeKalb County THP Officer Named Trooper of Year in Cookeville District

Trooper Dewaine Jennings of the Tennessee Highway Patrol has been named Trooper of the Year for the Cookeville District.
Jennings, a resident of Smithville, was among eighteen members of the THP who were honored as Troopers of the Year for their individual districts during a special ceremony held Friday at the THP Training Center on Stewarts Ferry Pike in Nashville.
Trooper Jennings is a member of the Strike Team and assists with the Field Training Officer Program, where he leads by example everyday. Trooper Jennings’ enforcement activity was also top in every category in his District. His work ethic, professionalism and pride in his everyday duties as Tennessee Highway Patrol State Trooper make Trooper Jennings one of the best and a clear choice for this award.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Department of Safety’s top overall awards went to Trooper Kevin Curtis as Trooper of the Year 2007 and Trooper Andy Forsythe as Trooper of the Year 2008.
Trooper Kevin Curtis is assigned to McNairy County in the Jackson District and was named Trooper of the Year 2007 for the dedication he showed investigating a horrific crash that occurred during an exhibition in Selmer, TN. Trooper Curtis spent more than 300 hours investigating the crash that killed six bystanders and seriously injured 22 others. Trooper Curtis displayed true professionalism and compassion working with each of the families involved, while managing his normal day to day responsibilities.
Trooper Andy Forsythe has been a member of THP since 1998 and is stationed in Weakley County. Last May, Trooper Forsythe came upon a fiery crash where some of the occupants of both vehicles were trapped. Trooper Forsythe physically bent back the top of one of the vehicles to free the driver and helped rescue some of the other seven victims. His heroic actions most assuredly saved at least two of the victims from perishing in the burning vehicles, and for this, Trooper Forsythe has been named Trooper of the Year 2008.
“These Troopers represent the outstanding achievements of the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol,” said Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “Often, the public does not see the good work done by the officers of this fine organization.”
THP Colonel Mike Walker added, “Many of these dedicated Troopers are being recognized for their hard work and enforcement activity, and others for concern for their fellow man and community involvement. All have exemplified Professionalism, Integrity, and Pride. I am proud of each one of them.”
Meanwhile, Trooper Michael Williams, who is assigned to the Cookeville District, was honored for his outstanding work and dedication to the department. Trooper Williams is among the top in his district. In 2007, he made 39 DUI arrests and 33 felony arrests. That year, Trooper Williams also made the arrest of a Brink’s Armored Carrier robbery suspect and recovered more than $110,000.00 in stolen money.