After 35 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chief of Corrections Shaun Shepherd is calling it a day, hanging up his hat and packing it in.
In other words, Shepherd is retiring.
Sheriff Austin Garrett, members of the HCSO, elected officials, law enforcement colleagues and community members from throughout Southeast Tennessee gathered Dec. 18 to recognize Shepherd’s retirement.
Also in attendance were former Hamilton County sheriffs Jim Hammond, John Cupp and Allen Branum.
Shepherd’s introduction to the HCSO came during this time as an Explorer in high school. He then joined the department in 1990 when he took a job as a corrections deputy. Since that time, Shepherd has served in numerous units and leadership positions.
Shepherd’s former ranks include sergeant, lieutenant and then captain of the School Resource Deputy Unit, formerly known as Youth and Community Service.
This command also included Homeland Security Awareness and the Emergency Operations Incident Command Team.
Shepherd has also served on the hostage negotiations team and as an instructor for the HCSO Office of Training & Professional Standards.
Former Sheriff Jim Hammond promoted Shepherd to deputy chief during his term; Hammond’s successor, Austin Garrett, promoted Shepherd to chief deputy in 2021.
In that role, Shepherd has been responsible for overseeing all corrections services including the county’s jail as well as the HCSO’s training and professional development.
A news release from the HSCO shines a particular spotlight on Shepherd’s work to oversee the daily operations of the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center during the transition of the existing facility from a privately run entity to a HCSO-0operated detention center.
During Shepherd’s retirement celebration, Garrett said Shepherd has a well-deserved reputation throughout Hamilton County and beyond as a dedicated law enforcement professional.
“I’ve had the honor of working alongside Shaun and witnessing firsthand his steadfast commitment to serving our community and upholding the principles of the law enforcement profession. His retirement marks the end of an extraordinary career that has left an indelible mark on our agency. His legacy of service will be remembered for years to come.”
Throughout his career, Shepherd has completed extensive training focused on preparing school resource deputies. He is a graduate from the Southeast Command and Leadership Academy and has presented on numerous specialized topics at seminars, gang summits and public and law enforcement forums throughout the U.S.
Shepherd holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.