Sheriff Patrick Ray

I was born January 14, 1971, and have lived my whole life in DeKalb County. My wife (Dessa) and I have one son, P.J.. Dessa is employed with DeKalb Utility District. Togethe, our family attends services at New Union The Baptist Church, where am an active member. 

“I enjoy working on the family farm, as well as hunting and fishing with my son, P.J.  I graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1989 and immediately began my law enforcement career at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.”

In 1991 I graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. Since that time, I have served in various positions and also worked his way up through the ranks. I served as Chief Deputy at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Jail, where I supervised 42 employees. During this time I received numerous commendations for outstanding leadership and law enforcement performance.

“In November 2002, I began employment with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as an Investigator and held that position until elected Sheriff in 2006. During my law enforcement career, I have worked closely and cooperatively with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies resulting in numerous felony arrest and convictions.”

Additional civic involvement has included:

  • DeKalb Co Children’s Service Council
  • DeKalb Co Drug Court Team
  • Member of Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge # 34
  • Member of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department
  • Member of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association
  • Member of the Tennessee Narcotics Officer’s Association
  • Member of the Southeast Methamphetamine Task Force 

I graduated from the following courses and training seminars:

  • Graduated Tenn. Law Enforcement Training Academy
  • Courtroom Security School
  • Medicolegal Death Investigation in Forensic Medicine School
  • Basic Gang and Drug Investigations School
  • A.S.P. Baton and Defense Certification
  • The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation Course
  • Advance Course of Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation
  • Interstate Modular Drug Training School
  • Critical Incident Stress School
  • Domestic Violence School
  • Arson Investigation School
  • Identification Investigations by the Medical Examiner School
  • Forensic Anthropology School
  • Basic Crime School
  • Crime Solving Techniques for the New Millennium
  • Child Sex Abuse School
  • Human Skeleton Remains School
  • Forensic Seminars
  • North Carolina/Tennessee Narcotics School
  • TIES/NCIC/NLETS Certification School
  • Tennessee Uniform Crash Report Class
  • Emergency Response to Terrorism School
  • Methamphetamine Awareness Program
  • Basic Clandestine Laboratory Safety Training School
  • Clandestine Laboratory Certification School
  • Narcotics Investigations School
  • Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force School on Interview and Interrogation
  • Narcotics Trafficking and Trends School
  • Advanced Training in Narcotic Enforcement School
  • Patrol Drug Interdiction School

DeKalb County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Patrick Ray

100 Public Square, Smithville, Tennessee 37166-1723

Office:  (615) 597-4935  -  Non Emergency: (615) 215-3000

Anonymous tip line: (615) 464-6400                 Emergency Calls Only (911)