Contributed commentary shared with Clarksville Now by Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson:

After careful thought and consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election as Montgomery County sheriff in the upcoming 2026 election cycle. The most significant factor in this decision has been the time, impact and demands the office requires not only of me, but also of my family. As I move into retirement, I look forward to giving my full time, attention and focus back to them.

At the end of this term, I will have had the privilege of serving the public safety interests of Montgomery County for more than 27 years, 14 of those as your sheriff.

During this time, I have worked diligently to provide our citizens with the most prepared and professional law enforcement services possible. That mission began by building the best possible team around me and hiring and promoting individuals with the aptitude and character to serve. It continued by ensuring our staff receive the training and resources necessary to effectively and efficiently serve our community.

Together with an outstanding and dedicated staff, and with the support of the Montgomery County Commission and three county mayors, we have achieved many positive and lasting accomplishments. We strengthened our law enforcement presence on the streets by fully staffing and properly equipping our Patrol Division, while developing a cohesive and progressive Criminal Investigations Division that significantly improved our case clearance rate. We enhanced school safety by placing well-trained and experienced School Resource Officers in every school, with two assigned to each high school. Within our Jail Division, we improved staffing levels, implemented a more robust field training program, and created greater opportunities for jail deputies to expand their law enforcement careers within our agency, like never before.

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Improving pay and benefits, strengthening recruitment and training practices, and acquiring the necessary resources to effectively carry out our responsibilities have also been priorities during my tenure. Our agency has remained current with modern equipment, technology and staffing to help ensure continued success. Notable improvements include:

  • The addition of staff and technology that have deterred crime and increased the apprehension of criminal suspects.
  • The construction of the new Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC) in Dotsonville, which will prepare all public safety personnel for today’s challenges and those of the future.
  • Implementation of a unified radio communications system that places all public safety agencies in our county on the same platform for improved emergency response.
  • Strengthened relationships with our local, regional, state and federal law enforcement partners.

My top priority as sheriff has always been to provide our citizens with professional and well-prepared law enforcement services while protecting their lives, property and constitutional rights. That mission cannot be accomplished without having the right people in the right roles within our agency. From our newest employee to the chief deputy, our citizens deserve a well-trained and well-equipped team of men and women who possess the aptitude and character to serve. This agency is only as strong as the people who serve it.

With continued strong leadership, I have no doubt these accomplishments will support the success of the Sheriff’s Office well into the future.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside our staff and the public as we have strengthened this agency for the betterment of public safety. I have also appreciated working with three county mayors, numerous county commissioners, elected officials and department heads, state and federal legislators, fellow sheriffs, and two governors in advancing the capabilities of our Sheriff’s Office and the law enforcement profession across our state.

As I begin this next chapter of my life, I want to personally thank those who have loyally supported me along the way. I am deeply humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me through three terms as your sheriff. I will always be grateful for your support and for the friendships developed throughout this journey.

To my greatest supporters – my family – thank you for allowing me to pursue this career. You have sacrificed more than most will ever know or understand. Your sacrifice has been greater than my own, and words cannot adequately express how thankful I am for the love and unwavering support my wife, Jennifer, and our children have given throughout my service as Montgomery County sheriff. The toll of that sacrifice will not be easy to repay, but I am ready to begin that new chapter with you.

Only God knows what the future holds. I remain hopeful that the right person will assume the honor and responsibility of serving as the next Montgomery County sheriff.

Respectfully, Sheriff John Fuson

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