Aug. 16, 2023
Police chief announces promotions
Johnson City Police Chief Billy Church recently announced multiple promotions within the department. The promotional process consisted of an assessment/interview.
“The officers promoted today exemplify the very best characteristics in a leader,” said Chief Church. “They are the future of the Police Department and integral to its success. Their commitment and excellence deserve special recognition, and I am honored to serve alongside each of them.”
Reggie Sparks has been promoted to captain on Platoon 2. An 18-year veteran of the Police Department, he has served as a patrol officer, field training officer and is currently a member of the traffic crash reconstruction team. Sparks was promoted to sergeant in 2013. He spent eight years in the United States Navy before beginning his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. During that time, he served as a correction officer, deputy sheriff and member of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Response team. Sparks is a 2017 graduate of the Southeastern Leadership Academy and was named the local American Legion Officer of the Year for 2020.
Sparks most recently served as lieutenant on Platoon 2.
Jeff Wilson has been promoted to captain on Platoon 3. A 23-year veteran of the Police Department, he is the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team commander and has served on SWAT for 20 years. Since joining the department, he has served as public safety officer, patrol officer, field training officer, patrol sergeant and lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fishery science from Tennessee Tech University and is a 2022 graduate of the Southeastern Leadership Academy. He has completed multiple Municipal Management Academy trainings and several first-line supervisor schools. In 2005, Wilson received the department's Distinguished Service Medal. He has been named Officer of the Year for the Police Department and Officer of the Year for the Eastern Division of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
Wilson most recently served as lieutenant on Platoon 3.
Tim Hensley has been promoted to captain on Platoon 4. A 31-year veteran of the Police Department, he has served as a motor officer, hostage negotiator, patrol sergeant, and member of the Honor Guard. Currently, Hensley oversees the department’s Crisis Intervention team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University. He has completed Criminal Investigator Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy. Hensley retired from the United States Navy Reserves with the rank of chief petty officer.
Hensley most recently served as lieutenant on Platoon 4.
Drew Guider has been promoted to lieutenant on Platoon 2, where he will serve as assistant watch commander. An 11-year veteran of the Police Department, he has served as a patrol officer, a member of the traffic unit, field training officer, child passenger safety technician and recruiter. He also served on the departmental Officer Advisory Board. He is certified in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and earned the “DUI Officer of the Year” award from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office in 2019. Guider is a 2007 graduate of East Tennessee State University.
Guider most recently served as sergeant on Platoon 2.
Jeff Legault, has been promoted to lieutenant on Platoon 3, where he will serve as assistant watch commander. An 18-year veteran of the Police Department, he has served as a patrol officer, member of the traffic unit and on the Traffic Homicide team. Legault became a K9 handler in 2009, and in 2016, he was named officer in charge of the canine unit which he oversees today. Also in 2016, Legault was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) on the Special Investigation Squad (SIS). In June 2019, he was assigned officer in charge over the SIS until being promoted to sergeant in October 2020. He remained in SIS and was an on-call CID supervisor until August 2022. Legault graduated from Milligan College in 1996.
Legault most recently served as sergeant on Platoon 3.
Joe Roberts has been promoted to lieutenant on Platoon 4, where he will serve as assistant watch commander. A 27-year veteran of the Police Department, he has served as patrol sergeant for Platoons 4 and 2 for the past six years. He has been on the Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction team for 23 years. He has also served as an interstate traffic/drug interdiction officer and motor officer for the traffic division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from East Tennessee State University.
Roberts most recently served as sergeant on Platoon 4.
Matt Gryder has been promoted to lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). A 24-year veteran of the Police Department, Gryder has served on patrol, power shift and in criminal investigations. While assigned to the CID, he has performed the duties of squad sergeant and as a department member assigned to the FBI task force. Gryder has been recognized as officer of the month on three occasions. In 2018, he was named the Tennessee Narcotics Officer Association’s Officer of the Year and the Tennessee Gang Investigator Association’s Officer of the Year.
Gryder most recently served as sergeant in the CID.
Andy Clevinger has been promoted to lieutenant in the Training Unit. A 26-year veteran with the Police Department, he has served as a training officer, patrol officer, traffic homicide investigator, criminal investigator, “Project Safe Neighborhood” Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) task force officer, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member/leader.
Clevinger most recently served as sergeant in the Training Unit.
David Hilton has been promoted to lieutenant in the Office of Professional Standards. A 21-year veteran of the Police Department, he served as a master police officer and field training officer before transferring to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) in 2014. As an investigator, Hilton was the lead detective on two high-profile, demanding homicide cases that were solved as a result of his diligence and dedication to the victims and their families. Hilton holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Milligan College.
Hilton most recently served as sergeant in the Office of Professional Standards.
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