West TN Violent Crime & Drug Task Force Criminal Interdiction Unit recognized as top in the state

WEST TENNESSEE VIOLENT CRIME AND DRUG TASK FORCE CRIMINAL INTERDICTION UNIT RECOGNIZED AS TOP IN THE STATE

SHELBY COUNTY, TENN. – Agents with the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force attended the annual Tennessee Narcotic Officers Association Conference last week in Chattanooga where they received top honors in several categories.

The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force’s Criminal Interdiction Team received the following honors:

• Interdiction Team of the Year – Criminal Interdiction Team
• Interdiction Officer of the Year – Special Agent Keaton Gregory
• Meth Man Award – Special Agent Caleb Burton
• Pill Punisher Award – Special Agent Brooks Gatlin
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Caleb Burton
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Keaton Gregory
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Andre Nash

Agents from the 28th and 29th Districts received the following honors:

• Life Saving Award – Special Agent Jeffrey Marshall
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Patrick Hassell
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Dion Cicinelli
• Community Impact Award – Special Agent Kevin Hill

Agent Keaton Gregory is assigned to the Task Force from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, Agent Patrick Hassell is assigned from the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, Agent Brooks Gatlin is assigned from the Germantown Police Department, Agent Kevin Hill is assigned from the Humboldt Police Department and the remaining Agents work directly for the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force. Other Agencies participating in the Task Force include Memphis, Brownsville, Milan, Trenton, Bells, Millington, Tiptonville, Ridgely and Dyersburg Police Departments and Lake County Sheriff’s Department.

The Task Force operates by Agreement of the Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy, 28th D.A. Frederick Agee and 29th D.A. Danny Goodman and is commanded by Director Johnie Carter.

Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy said, “These awards reinforce what we already see from day-to-day operations — the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force is performing at a top level not only in Tennessee, but nationwide. This team is taking narcotics, illegal weapons, and high-risk offenders out of circulation with precision, strategy, and measurable results. Their work reflects the kind of coordinated, focused approach we value in Shelby County, and we’re proud to stand with a team that delivers meaningful results, not just activity. Congrats to all involved.”

Task Force Director Johnie Carter said, “These men and women are all top notch Agents that strive daily to make West Tennessee a safer place to live, work and play while often sacrificing time with their families in order to get the job done. I am honored to lead such a dedicated team of professionals and I am proud of their accomplishments.”

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