Hamilton County Sheriff's Office - TN

UPDATE: The road is open.

🚧 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

The HCSO is responding to a serious vehicle accident near the 8000 block of Harrison Bay Road. The road is temporarily closed. Drivers should seek alternate routes.

HCSO Arrests Wanted Man for Aggravated Child Abuse, Other Charges

Hamilton County, TN – On the morning of May 29,2026, HCSO Criminal Warrants Unit detectives initiated a traffic stop for a wanted fugitive near the 300 block of Highway 153.

Alec Mills was arrested for the third time this year, and a search of his vehicle revealed several items related to drug usage, including:
• 1 gram of fentanyl
• A metal pipe with narcotic residue
• A glass pipe with narcotic residue
• Used needles
• Tin foil strips with fentanyl residue

Mills faces multiple traffic violations and the following charges:
• Aggravated Child Abuse
• Evading Arrest x2
• Drugs for Resale x3
• Possession of Schedule 2 Narcotics, Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Controlled Substance x2
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

This information is preliminary and subject to change. No further details are available.

Recently, the HCSO participated in multiple career day events at Ooltewah Elementary School. Students got an inside look at how crimes are investigated, as well as our K9 and traffic unit operations. Thank you for letting us come and interact with your kids!

At the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, our Traffic Unit proudly operates Harley-Davidson motorcycles, long considered the gold standard in patrol operations nationwide. These motorcycles are essential to daily operations, including traffic enforcement, special events, and funeral and dignitary escorts, making their safety and reliability critical. That’s why the Sheriff only entrusts our motors to the hands of “The Doctor”.

Dave Clemons, known far and wide as “Dr. Dave,” is a legend in the motorcycle community and has been servicing Harley-Davidson motorcycles since 1971. He began his career at Jake’s Harley-Davidson in Michigan, where he maintained patrol motors for Washtenaw and Wayne counties, including the City of Detroit. Since 1978, he has been the sole technician for the HCSO Traffic Unit and has also worked with many other local law enforcement agencies.

As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month comes to a close, join Dr. Dave and the HCSO in promoting responsible riding, regular maintenance, and motorcycle safety throughout Hamilton County, so everyone can safely enjoy riding the beautiful roadways this summer and all year long.

Today, we celebrate the retirement of HCSO Juror Es**rt Don Klasing! Don has dedicated more than a decade of service to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, serving with honor and distinction during his career. Please join us in congratulating Don on his retirement; we wish him well in his future endeavors!

Earlier this morning, Sheriff Austin Garrett and members of the HCSO officially welcomed Mitch Allen to the agency. Formerly employed by the Georgia DOC, he will now be working as a Skilled Craft Specialist with the HCSO Maintenance team.

Please join us as we welcome Mitch to the HSCO family!

HCSO Apprehends Man After Fleeing Hamilton County Courtroom

Hamilton County, TN – On the morning of May 26, 2026, a man appeared in Chancellor Pamela Fleenor’s courtroom at the Georgia Avenue Hamilton County Courts Building for an Order of Protection taken out against him.

The defendant, Dillon Barrett, informed the courtroom that he was not himself and was appearing on behalf of his brother, attempting to conceal his identity. After answering a phone call, Barrett fled the building, initiating a foot pursuit towards the parking garage at the intersection of Chestnut Street and W 7th Street. He was quickly found and taken into custody.

Barrett has active warrants out of both Hamilton County and Alabama, and now faces the following additional charges:
• Evading Arrest
• Criminal Impersonation

We want to thank the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Chattanooga Police Department for their help during the search.

This information is preliminary and subject to change. No further details are available.

🚧 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

A portion of Suck Creek Road near the 2100 block will temporarily be closed from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for EPB pole repairs. Drivers should seek alternate routes.

🚧 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

The HCSO is responding to a vehicle accident near the intersection of Sequoyah Road and Barbee Road. The road is temporarily closed. Drivers should seek alternate routes.

“As we gather to observe Memorial Day, we are reminded of its solemn purpose. Established by Congress in 1971, Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Please join us as we remember our fallen heroes. We will never forget," stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.