Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., from Shelby County, recently received the coveted accolade of "2023 Tennessee Sheriff of the Year", presented by the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association (TSA). This announcement was made at the 52nd Annual Conference held in Sevierville, Tennessee. Chosen from a pool of 95 county Sheriffs, Sheriff Bonner was this year's distinct recipient.

The presentation of the award was conducted by TSA's Executive Director and retired Sheriff, Jeff Bledsoe, during a conference banquet. The selection process involved a democratic voting system that included Sheriffs from all across Tennessee.

Sheriff Bonner expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition, saying, "I am honored to receive this recognition from the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association. The amazing team at the Shelby County Sheriff’s office surrounds me. I want to share this honor with those men and women whose hard work and dedication have made us one of the best departments around."

Historical Milestone: Floyd Bonner as a Trailblazer

Bonner not only stands as the first African-American elected Sheriff in Shelby County but also marks his place in history as the first African-American "Tennessee Sheriff of the Year" as honored by the TSA. His distinguished 42-year law enforcement career comprises numerous significant contributions. He assumed office as the 47th Sheriff of Shelby County in 2018 and was re-elected in August 2022.

Career Highlights: Contributions and Initiatives

Over the course of his illustrious 42-year career, Sheriff Bonner has accomplished much, including:

• Serving in multiple major areas of law enforcement, such as undercover narcotics, and as the Sheriff of Shelby County.
• Heading the largest Sheriff's office in Tennessee, overseeing a $188 million annual budget and nearly 2,000 staff.
• Earning the respected Triple Crown Award for excellence in law enforcement, corrections, and jail healthcare.
• Introducing a citizen hiring committee to assist the command staff in selecting the Sheriff's Office's next officers.
• Upholding the Sheriff's Office training accreditation.
• Initiating the S.H.A.R.E. (Sheriff's Hub and Resource Exchange) program, encouraging citizen participation in speeding up law enforcement's access to information during a crime.
• Collaborating with mental health clinicians via a new crisis intervention initiative for situations requiring more specialized care.
• Backing the Adopt-A-School program, endorsing mentors to assist and support community youth.

Sheriff Bonner's commitment to community engagement, professional development, and innovative programs has garnered him respect and admiration from both his peers and the community he serves.

The Next Step: Running for Mayor of Memphis

Sheriff Floyd Bonner has now set his sights on the position of Mayor of Memphis, aiming to tackle issues concerning policing and public safety. Following the demise of Tyre Nichols, Memphis has grappled with a public awakening over police policies, practices, and transparency. The upcoming mayor will be key in shaping the city's future policing, including the selection of the police chief and policy implementations. Boasting over 42 years of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Bonner aspires to utilize his expertise and leadership as Mayor to address these crucial issues.