King Cole

Friends, family, and fellow officers will meet at Police Headquarters Friday afternoon at 2:00 to celebrate the 25-year career of retiring Franklin Police Officer Richard Cole. His first day on the job was October 19, 1987 when his distinguished career with the FPD started from under a headset in the Department’s Emergency Communications Center. After two years, Cole was promoted to police officer and spent the following 23 years in varied assignments including Patrol Officer, Crime Scene Technician, D.A.R.E. Officer, and Police Explorer Advisor. In 1993, he was named Officer of the Year by the Franklin Exchange Club. For the last two years, Officer Cole has served as the School Resource Officer for Freedom Middle and Poplar Grove Schools. 

Prior to his service to the residents of Franklin, Officer Cole served his Country; his 11 years in the United States Air Force included tours in Italy, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. 

Officer Cole and his wife of 17 years, Rebecca, have five children and 13 grandchildren. The Coles are 25-year members of the People’s Church in Franklin. Officer Cole has served 16 years as the Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 16 at Epworth United Methodist Church, and has helped 21 youth to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor possible. 

Officer Cole recently accepted a job offer from Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Long. Starting Monday, Officer Cole will become Deputy Cole, and will continue his service to students and staff at Freedom Middle and Poplar Grove as their School Resource Officer. 

“I’ve enjoyed every adventure I’ve shared with the men and women of the Franklin Police Department over the past 25 years,” said Officer Cole. “I’m looking forward to continuing the great work that we’ve started at Freedom and Poplar Grove. I’ve got a unique opportunity to be able to show up at the same job I love, wearing a different uniform and driving a different colored car.” Chief David Rahinsky said, “Officer Cole’s selfless service to this community and our school system has impacted so many. I look forward to his continued service in Franklin schools and his continued commitment to Williamson County families.”

Deputy Dawg

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Federal drug enforcement agents who arrested a cocaine delivery recipient discovered he was a Rutherford County Sheriff's deputy.

The Daily New Journal (http://on.dnj.com/YQVRNZ ) reported a federal criminal complaint was filed Monday in Nashville against 35-year-old Luis Reynaldo Parra Flores of Murfreesboro. Flores is charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine.

U.S. Attorney for Middle Tennessee Jerry E. Martin's office said Drug Enforcement Administration agents intercepted a drug courier with seven kilograms of cocaine in his luggage at Nashville International Airport on March 13. After an investigation determined who the drugs were intended for, federal agents and Metro Nashville Police arrested Flores as he tried to take possession. They found he was carrying a firearm and a badge identifying him as a deputy.

Sheriff Robert Arnold fired Flores and destroyed his badge.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Drug-agents-bust-suspect-discover-he-s-an-officer-4366741.php#ixzz2O6uwFFQS

At least he didn't get another DUI

Last Friday night at approximately 9:00, officers responded to a threat call after an intoxicated man at Mickey Roos, 595 Hillsboro Road, recognized a juror from his February DUI trial. That is when 45-year-old Gregory Mathews approached and then threatened to kill the juror and his family. Mathews, who has a lengthy history, was located by police in a nearby alley and arrested. 

Gregory H. Mathews 
Date of Birth: 11/09/1967 
601 Boyd Mill Pike #P-7 
Franklin, TN 37064 

Anyone who makes retaliatory threats or actions against a witness, judge, district attorney’s office employee, law enforcement officer, clerk, juror, or former juror of an official proceeding, or a family member of any of these people has committed a felony, and should anticipate their swift arrest. Matthews, charged with Public Intoxication and Retaliation for Past Action, a Class-E Felony, is free on a $5,500 bond and due in court 03/28/2013 at 2:00 pm.

Beer: the slippery slope

As many as 20 additional police officers will hit Franklin streets this weekend with one mission: to detect and arrest impaired drivers. A Governor’s Highway Safety Office grant will be used to pay overtime to officers participating in the city-wide operation aimed at keeping Franklin streets safe. 

MADD statistics, like “One in three people are involved in a DUI-related crash in their lifetime,” and “Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens; one out of three of those involve alcohol,” are sobering reminders of the dangers that drinking and driving pose. 

DUI saturation patrols start tonight, and Franklin Police want to take an opportunity to encourage responsible driving throughout this weekend. If you get behind the wheel of a car and are caught driving impaired, the ride to jail that we give DUI offenders costs, on average, $10,000. 

DUI – the $10,000 ride home 
Drive Drunk, Get Nailed

Crook in her place, cash in your pocket

Franklin Police want to identify the suspect in this release who stole a flat screen television from Walmart last week. At 1:45 am on 03/05/2013, she left the store pushing a cart with a 39” Vizio television, valued at $389, right out the doors. The suspect was driving an older model Chevrolet Impala. If you recognize the suspect or have information about this case, turn that info into cash with a call to Crime Stoppers, (615) 794-4000. 

To send an anonymous tip to Franklin Police, text the keyword 615FPD, along with your message to 847411 (Tip411), or call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513.

The family that shoplifts together stays together

Please help the Dickson Police Department Identify these adults who shoplifted with these three children present. These adults took dog food and tax preparation software and left with out paying. If you know these people please call the Dickson Police Department at615-446-8041 or Det. Chad D. Fussell at 615-441-9577.

Booze it, lose it

On the evening of Friday, 03/15/2013, the Franklin Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Mack Hatcher Boulevard near Spencer Creek Road. 

Last year, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office awarded the Department with a $50,000 grant to use for anti-DUI initiatives including DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, training, and equipment. Overtime for officers working this checkpoint will be paid by that grant. 

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving and impaired-related crashes constitute one of the nation’s leading health problems. These events result in more deaths each year than do total homicides, and alcohol is a factor in 33% of all crashes in the United States. 

Sonic youth

A Franklin man remains behind bars after being charged with Aggravated Assault following an attack at a Franklin Sonic. Friday night officers responded to the Sonic at 401 Hillsboro Road after three men armed with a baseball bat, knife, and golf club attacked a customer at the drive-in at 11:10pm, striking the victim in the head. The opposing parties in this assault were previously known to one another. Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle and arrested the driver, 19-year-old Jessie Euten, for Aggravated Assault. Euten remains jailed on a $7,500 bond and is due in court April 1 at 2:00 pm. Officers are working to identify the other two suspects in the case. If you witnessed the attack or have information that could help, call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513. The victim was transported to an area hospital for his injuries and is expected to recover. 

Get drunk, get nailed

A repeat DUI offender was taken off of the street over the weekend after an officer on patrol recognized the driver as someone who did not have a valid driver’s license. John Creswell, 49 of Franklin, was stopped at 4:55 Saturday morning at on Columbia Avenue. Creswell was found to be impaired, and arrested for DUI – 3rd Offense. Creswell was also charged with Driving on a Suspended License. He is free on an $8,000 bond and due in court on 03/21/2013 at 2:00 pm. 

John E. Creswell 
Date of Birth: 12/12/1963 
1592 Birchwood Circle 
Franklin, TN 37064