Rhea County Sheriffs Department

Rhea County Sheriffs Department Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the citizens by reducing both crime and the fear of

Traffic Alert: Update 2:14pm: Both lanes of Wassom Memorial Hwy are now open and the accident has been cleared. Previous...
05/30/2026

Traffic Alert:

Update 2:14pm:
Both lanes of Wassom Memorial Hwy are now open and the accident has been cleared.

Previous: One lane of Wassom Memorial Hwy (Hwy 68) is currently closed down due to a motor vehicle accident in the area of Garland Ln. Please use caution while emergency crews are in the area. This post will be updated when the Highway has been fully reopened and clear.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which Ma...
05/15/2026

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Today we honor the sacrifices of the fallen nationwide, and would like to shine a special light on Rhea County Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. They are:


Deputy Clarence Lee Ellison

Deputy Ellison was shot and killed while searching for a moonshine still near his home in Roddy, Tennessee.

End of Watch: Friday, August 17, 1923

Chief Deputy Ben Thomas Vaughn

Chief Deputy Vaughn was killed in a crash during a high speed police chase.

End of Watch: Saturday, December 22, 1956

Deputy Johnny Alford Swafford

Deputy Swafford was shot responding to a domestic disturbance call.

End of Watch: Thursday, November 13,1975

Sergeant Bruce Owens

Sergeant Owens was shot in 1982 during a jail escape. Sergeant Owens survived the initial incident, but was paralyzed from his waist down. He later died in 1994 due to complications from the gunshot wound.

End of Watch: Thursday, December 29, 1994

Thank you, gentlemen, for your service and your sacrifice. We hope to honor your memory by serving this county well.

Update 3:28pm:With the help of our community Mr. Ledford has been safely located. Thank you for the assistance in locati...
05/14/2026

Update 3:28pm:
With the help of our community Mr. Ledford has been safely located. Thank you for the assistance in locating him!

Ryelon Ledford is a 14-year-old white male, 5'6" tall, 156 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Ryelon was last seen in the area of Carty Ave. in Dayton, TN. Ryelon was last seen wearing shorts and a blue t-shirt. If you have seen Ryelon or have information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Rhea County Sheriff's Office at 423-775-2442 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-
FIND.

Sheriff Mike Neal and Chief Deputy John Argo along with all of the men and women of The Rhea County Sheriff's Department...
05/09/2026

Sheriff Mike Neal and Chief Deputy John Argo along with all of the men and women of The Rhea County Sheriff's Department wish everyone a safe and fun 79th Annual Strawberry Festival Parade Day!

Please read the attached information carefully before coming to Downtown Dayton.

We fully expect the area to be heavily congested all day with a large crowd gathering for The Kentucky Headhunters this evening. Please remain aware of your surroundings and call 911 in case of an emergency. Rhea County Dispatch's Non-Emergency Line is (423) 775-2442. Please report any suspicious activity immediately.

Remind children to immediately go to a uniformed officer if they find they have been separated from a parent or guardian. Take a picture of your child as soon as you exit your vehicle to help with locating them quickly if needed. The Dayton Chamber of Commerce booth will have child safety wristbands available. We strongly advise you to take advantage of that opportunity.

Please keep an especially watchful eye on children during the parade and do not allow them to run into the road after candy or other novelty items thrown from floats.

Note the attached flyer about new handicap parking availability.

Notice The Strawberry Festival and most of Downtown Dayton have been declared a no fly zone (Law Enforcement Surveillance Only).

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce Rhea County Emergency Management

Events downtown are expected to run from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., beginning with the opening of food and craft vendors. ...
05/08/2026

Events downtown are expected to run from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., beginning with the opening of food and craft vendors. Please be aware that many downtown businesses are still in operation today.

Traffic will be heavy in walking areas as vehicles line up for the Car Show this afternoon. It begins at 3 P.M.

Note the attached flyer about new handicap parking availability.

The Rhea County Sheriff's Department will be stationed at The Rhea County Juvenile Detention Center (the old Rhea County Jail) on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Court Street with officers stationed throughout town. Rhea Ambulance and Rhea County Emergency Management will be stationed there again this year as well.

Rhea Medical Center will have a first aid equipped tent and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce will have child safety wristbands inside the vendor area on the courthouse lawn.
Remind children to immediately go to a uniformed officer if they find they have been separated from a parent or guardian. Take a picture of your child as soon as you exit your vehicle to help with locating them quickly if needed.

Please remain alert and aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity immediately. In the case of an emergency, dial 911. Rhea County Dispatch's Non-Emergency Line is (423) 775-2442

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce Rhea County Emergency Management

Roads will close as needed to allow for the safe setup of food and craft vendors. This will take up a much larger area t...
05/07/2026

Roads will close as needed to allow for the safe setup of food and craft vendors. This will take up a much larger area than years past, as the festival has grown tremendously.

Sheriff Mike Neal asks that all vendors please follow the instructions of the Strawberry Festival Committee and of the Officers that will be onsite to assist with traffic flow around the Historic Courthouse.

Vendors will not be open for business today.

Remember to remain mindful of heavy foot traffic in the area of the carnival. It will be open from 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. tonight.

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce Rhea County Emergency Management

The following roads will be closed today for Faith & Family Night at Centennial Park. Strawberry shortcakes will be serv...
05/06/2026

The following roads will be closed today for Faith & Family Night at Centennial Park. Strawberry shortcakes will be served.

Be mindful of extra foot traffic in the area of the Historic Courthouse and near the carnival.

The carnival is open from 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. tonight.

Downtown Dayton will become extremely congested starting tomorrow as vendors arrive. Please plan accordingly.

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce Rhea County Emergency Management

Our main goal is to keep the families of Rhea County safe. No new road closures today, but heavy foot traffic is expecte...
05/05/2026

Our main goal is to keep the families of Rhea County safe. No new road closures today, but heavy foot traffic is expected in the area of Downtown Dayton near the walking track.

Also, remember that today is Election Day and areas around the polls and Election Commission may be busier than usual. Please plan ahead and remain alert.

The carnival is open from 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. tonight.

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce Rhea County Emergency Management

It is time for the first evening of events in Downtown Dayton for the 79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival. Sheriff...
05/04/2026

It is time for the first evening of events in Downtown Dayton for the 79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival. Sheriff Mike Neal and Chief Deputy John Argo, along with the men and women of the Rhea County Sheriff's Department, would like to remind everyone to remain safe while enjoying the week's festivities.

Like last year, we will be posting important information daily regarding road closures, along with safety tips and answers to FAQs.

Please remember, while we do our best to monitor this page, this is an extremely busy week for law enforcement. Questions and comments may not receive an immediate response. As always, in case of emergency, call 911

Be sure to also follow our friends at Rhea County Emergency Management as we will be working closely together to make sure this week is a safe and enjoyable time for all.

Tennessee Strawberry Festival Dayton, TN Chamber of Commerce

UPDATE: Mr. Denton has been located safe. Thank you for all those who shared and called with information. If anyone has ...
05/01/2026

UPDATE: Mr. Denton has been located safe. Thank you for all those who shared and called with information.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Mr. Denton, please call Rhea County Central Dispatch at 423-775-2442, the Sheriff’s Office at 423-775-7837, or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Address

7800 Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN
37321

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14237757838

Website

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