Hardeman County Sheriff's Office

08/20/2026

Our phone lines at the jail are currently down. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s patience while the issue is being addressed.

If you need to contact the jail and it is necessary to do so, you may come to the Criminal Justice Complex and use the phone in the lobby to call the jail.

Thank you for your understanding.

08/06/2026

*INVESTIGATION UPDATE”

Through investigative techniques, combined with our Motorola License Plate Reader (LPR) camera system, investigators were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle throughout the area and then as it left Hardeman County. That information quickly established the suspect’s direction of travel toward Memphis, allowing us to coordinate with our law enforcement partners and focus resources where they were needed most.

This case is another example of how important this technology is to public safety. Our LPR camera system provided investigators with valuable real-time information that helped move this investigation forward more quickly than traditional investigative methods alone.

The suspect, Diaz Valdis, is wanted in Hardeman County on charges of Aggravated Assault (Domestic), Motor Vehicle Theft, False Imprisonment, and Narcotics offenses. He is also wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on felony warrants from Louisiana and Virginia.

Throughout the investigation, we worked closely with the FBI “Safe Streets Task Force”, Jackson Police Department, Bolivar Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office as we coordinated our efforts throughout this investigation.

I also want to thank the citizens of Hardeman County for your vigilance, the information you provided, and the many people who shared our posts. Your partnership with law enforcement truly made a difference in helping us move this investigation forward.

-Sheriff John Doolen

08/05/2026

UPDATE: Investigators believe the wanted subject previously reported in the area of Highway 18 South and Van Buren Road was picked up by a known associate and is now believed to be in the Memphis area.

At this time, there is no indication that the subject remains in the immediate area where the search was conducted. However, the subject is still wanted and should still be considered armed and dangerous.

If you see the subject, do not approach him. Call 911 immediately or contact your local law enforcement agency with any information regarding his whereabouts.

We appreciate the public’s assistance and will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT – WANTED SUBJECT

The Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a wanted subject who was last seen on foot in the area of Highway 18 South and Van Buren Road.

The subject is described as being approximately 6’1” tall and weighing around 195 pounds.

The subject should be considered armed and dangerous.

For your safety, residents in the area are encouraged to remain alert, secure their homes and vehicles, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Do not approach or attempt to confront the individual.

If you see anyone matching this description or have information regarding the subject’s whereabouts, call 911 or the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could assist in locating the subject safely.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Please share this post to help spread the word.

08/05/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT – WANTED SUBJECT

The Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a wanted subject who was last seen on foot in the area of Highway 18 South and Van Buren Road.

The subject is described as being approximately 6’1” tall and weighing around 195 pounds.

The subject should be considered armed and dangerous.

For your safety, residents in the area are encouraged to remain alert, secure their homes and vehicles, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Do not approach or attempt to confront the individual.

If you see anyone matching this description or have information regarding the subject’s whereabouts, call 911 or the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could assist in locating the subject safely.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Please share this post to help spread the word.

08/04/2026

Stop For School Buses

As students return to school, please slow down and stay alert, especially around school buses and bus stops.
Watch for children waiting at bus stops and crossing the street. Always reduce your speed in residential areas.
Let’s work together to keep our kids safe the whole school year!

08/03/2026

When I first took office as your Sheriff, I made a commitment that we would work hard every day to make Hardeman County a place we could all be proud to call home. That commitment has never changed.

Through the TDOT Litter Grant, we’ve removed more than 408,000 pounds of litter from our roadways, that's over 204 tons. That’s not just about picking up trash. It’s about taking pride in our communities and making Hardeman County a cleaner, safer place for our families. Even better, this program is funded through a state grant, saving local taxpayer dollars while delivering real results.

I’m proud to serve alongside deputies and inmate trustees who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and doing the work. Leadership isn’t just about sitting behind a desk, it’s about being present, working beside your team, and making a difference in the communities we serve.

As your Sheriff, I’ll continue focusing on results, responsible stewardship of your tax dollars, and serving Hardeman County with the same work ethic and dedication I’ve brought to this office for the past 16 years.

If you observe illegal dumping or litter along our roadways, please report it to our Litter Grant Manager, Cheri Baker, by email at [email protected].

When possible, please include:
• The location of the litter or illegal dump site
• A description of the litter or debris
• Photos (if it is safe to take them)
• Any information about a vehicle or person responsible, including a license plate number if available.

- Sheriff John Doolen

08/03/2026

August is Back To School Safety Month!

Prepare your checklist for a safe school season:

✔️ Slow down in school zones
✔️Watch for pedestrians
✔️ Plan ahead to avoid traffic
✔️Buckle up—every trip, every time!
✔️Prevent drowsy driving by getting enough rest.
✔️Pay attention to the road. Your focus is your responsibility.

07/31/2026

Back to School, Back to Safety

School will be back in session across Tennessee very soon, so don’t let safety slip. Remind your kids to always wear a helmet while riding a bike, and a seat belt in the car, every time.

07/31/2026

When seconds matter, having the right equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

I’m proud that through grant funding, our Sheriff’s Office has been able to place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in patrol units across our agency. In a rural county like Hardeman County, where emergency medical response times can sometimes be longer due to distance, having an AED readily available gives our deputies another lifesaving tool when they arrive first on scene.

This investment didn’t cost our local taxpayers. It was made possible through grant funding, and I want to personally thank Mayor Todd Pulse for working alongside the Sheriff’s Office to help secure these funds. Partnerships like this allow us to improve public safety while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Whether it’s responding to a cardiac emergency, assisting EMS, or serving our communities in their greatest time of need, we’re committed to providing our deputies with the tools and training they need to protect the people of Hardeman County.

Experience matters because preparation matters. Every improvement we make is about one thing, serving our citizens better and giving someone the best possible chance when every second counts.

- Sheriff John Doolen

07/29/2026

See Litter? Help Us Keep Hardeman County Clean!

The Hardeman County Sheriff's Office encourages citizens to report litter complaints so we can investigate and address problem areas throughout the county.

If you observe illegal dumping or litter along roadways, please report it to our Litter Grant Manager, Cheri Baker, by email at [email protected].

When possible, please include:
• The location of the litter or illegal dump site
• A description of the litter or debris
• Photos (if it is safe to take them)
• Any information about a vehicle or person responsible, including a license plate number if available.

Your assistance helps us keep Hardeman County clean and hold those responsible for illegal dumping accountable. Thank you for doing your part to protect our community!