Barker, Crime Task Force director, running for Anderson County sheriff

 

Russell Barker, director of Anderson County’s Seventh Judicial Crime Task Force, is running for Anderson County sheriff in the 2018 election.

Barker, who is running as a Republican, announced his candidacy during a campaign event at the Holiday Inn Express in Clinton in April. He was joined at the announcement by his wife Crystal, daughter Ansley, and a standing-room-only crowd, a press release said.

Barker explained why he is running.

“My mother was a nurse at the health department, and I watched her work day and night,” Barker said in the press release. “I saw the impact she made in her community.” At the age of seven, after his father’s passing, Barker said it was Anderson County residents who stepped up and bridged the gap. “It is my turn to give back to a community that has given so much to me,” he said.

Barker said he is a lifelong Anderson County resident who has exemplified a strong commitment of service to his country and community throughout his professional career.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, Barker began serving his community as a police officer, and he is now entering his 17th year of service.

“As a veteran law enforcement official, Director Barker has climbed the ranks serving in roles such as a patrolman, community education officer, detective, and a detective sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division with the Clinton Police Department, where he was named Officer of the Year in 2006,” the press release said.

In 2011, Barker was assigned to the Seventh Judicial Crime Task Force of Anderson County, where he served as an agent investigating and prosecuting narcotics trafficking in Anderson County. In 2012, Barker was named the Task Force’s Agent of the Year. Recognized for his efforts and leadership, Barker was appointed in 2014 to serve as the director of the Task Force, a position that he still holds today, the press release said.

“I am running for sheriff because our citizens deserve someone who not only understands the problems we face in our communities, but has solutions to fix them,” Barker said. “As your sheriff, I will bring innovative solutions and new ideas to old problems facing our county.”

The press release said Barker has a diverse background in law enforcement that he credits to his success. In addition to holding a degree in criminal justice, Barker is a certified domestic violence instructor, certified field training officer, certified D.A.R.E officer, and a certified gang investigator. The press release said he has obtained educational training and certification from the following agencies:

• University of Tennessee’s National Forensic Academy,
• FBI’s Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development session,
• Command level training through the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute, and
• Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy.

In 2016, Barker graduated from the Southeastern Leadership Academy, where he was recognized as a leader in law enforcement across the state, receiving the Law Enforcement Leadership Innovation Award, the press release said.

“I have a strong desire and commitment to serve the citizens of Anderson County,” Barker said. “My top priority as sheriff is your safety first. We will work every day to protect you, your family, and your community.”

Barker is the second person to announce he is running for sheriff. In March, Anderson County Chief Deputy Mark Lucas announced he is running for sheriff.

Anderson County Sheriff Paul White is retiring at the end of his third four-year term, which ends in August 2018.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

Do you appreciate this story or our work in general? If so, please consider a monthly subscription to Oak Ridge Today. See our Subscribe page here. Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today.

Copyright 2017 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.