Franklin Police alert:

Community: Tree work within the right-of-way today will close 4th Ave. between Church St. & S. Margin until 2pm

Franklin, TN – The operation of golf carts on City streets is illegal. In the wake of two recent area golf cart crashes involving teens, Franklin Police remind residents of the law intended to keep them safe. Franklin Police have repeatedly asked neighborhoods for voluntary compliance with the law. Despite our best efforts, the law is being ignored and our next step is enforcement.

Golf Cart (55-1-123): A motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seats, and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 mph.

Anyone caught operating a golf cart on a City street, except to cross at a 90 degree angle, will be cited.

Low Speed Vehicle (55-1-122): Any 4-wheeled electric or gasoline vehicle, excluding golf carts, whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph including neighborhood electric vehicles. Low speed vehicles must comply with USDOT standards in 49 CFR 571.500 .

Anyone observed operating a modified golf cart that fails to meet each of the requirements
in 49 CFR 571.500 will be cited.

Low speed vehicles, registered with the State of Tennessee, may be operated only by licensed drivers, and only on streets with a 35 mph or lower speed limit. Low speed vehicles must be equipped with the following:

• Headlamps;
• Front and rear turn signals;
• Taillamps;
• Stop lamps;
• Red reflectors on both sides and the rear;
• Mirrors on the driver’s side and either interior or passenger side exterior;
• Parking brake;
• A windshield that conforms to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on glazing materials (49 CFR 571.205);
• A vehicle identification number that confirms to the requirements of part 565 (Vehicle Identification Number) of this chapter, and
• A Type 1 or Type 2 seatbelt assembly conforming to Sec. 571.209 of this part, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No., 209, Seat Belt Assemblies, installed at each designated seating position.

Franklin, TN – Police officers from across Williamson County and police supporters will gather tomorrow in honor of those who lost their lives while protecting and serving the Williamson County community.

Six greater Williamson County law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty. We will Never Forget:

Sheriff Milton Harvey Stephens 1919
Constable Samuel Claybrooks Locke 1925
Constable Andrew Mattison Sullivan 1933
Constable Clarence Wesley Reed 1944
Deputy Sheriff John Morris Heithcock 1972
Corporal Jeremy Caleb McLaren 2010

Tomorrow’s Fraternal Order of Police memorial will honor each of them, as well as the 163 U.S. police officers killed in the line of duty in 2011 and the 40 killed so far this year . The service will begin at 6:00 pm at the Franklin Theatre, 419 Main Street. A foot procession and concluding ceremony will follow at the Police Memorial Monument on the Square with a 21-Gun Salute and Taps. The public is welcome to attend.

Update: 05/15/2012: 8:45pm: Gregory Lynn Dale was arrested without incident this evening in Springfield by U.S. Marshals and members of the Robertson County Sheriff's Office.

Original Release: 05/14/2012: 4:30pm: Franklin, TN – Franklin Police are asking for the public’s help with locating Gregory Lynn Dale, 51, of the Springfield/Robertson County area. Dale is wanted for Aggravated Assault after beating his Franklin girlfriend with a baseball bat in front of her two young children early Sunday morning. Dale has eluded police since the incident and remains at large this afternoon. He may be driving a 2005 gold colored Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck with a cracked windshield. Dale is violent and should be considered dangerous. If you know where he is, call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513.

Franklin police are searching for a 31-year-old man wanted on felony theft charges.

Police said Michael Marks rented two Toyota Camrys from a Franklin car rental store in March.

Neither vehicle was returned, but one of the two has since been recovered... See Full Story

Courtesy of Nashville's News 2 WKRN

Franklin, TN – Jeffrey Rocco, 48 of Fairview, is free on a $4,000 bond after being charged with his 2nd DUI and Reckless Endangerment.

Saturday night Rocco was stopped by officers after being clocked at 42 MPH in a 30 MPH zone on Highway 96 W. During their roadside interaction, officers determined that Rocco was under the influence and arrested him.

Rocco’s teenager was in the car with him, which means if convicted for the DUI, he faces a sentencing enhancement of an additional 30 days in jail along with a minimum additional fine of $1,000.

Rocco was charged with Felony Reckless Endangerment because of the fact that he had a child passenger at the time of his DUI arrest. He is free on a $4,000 bond and due in court 05/17/2012 at 2:00 pm.

Franklin, TN – Last night, more than 100 Franklin Police Officers and civilian employees, along with their guests, attended The 2nd Annual Knights in Blue Gala, a formal dinner and awards banquet organized and hosted by the Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association. Special guests in attendance to recognize the accomplishments of Franklin Police included Dr. Ken Moore, Mayor of Franklin, City Administrator Eric Stuckey, Chief David Rahinsky, and retired Franklin Police Chief Jackie Moore.

The following Franklin Police employees were recognized at last night’s event, held at The Factory: 

Chief’s Award, given to the officer who most exemplifies, in their every-day work, the three words worn on the sleeves of every Franklin Police Officer: Professional, Progressive, Responsive : Officer James Phillips 

Jackie Moore Award, given to the officer whose every-day work product is reflective of the service and values displayed throughout retired Franklin Police Chief Jackie Moore’s career: Patrick Tippit 

Officer of the Year: Officer Brigham VanHook 

Detective of the Year: Detective Chad Pace 

Dispatcher of the Year: Sarah Ginter 

Innovation Award, given to the officer whose ‘outside of the box’ vision has made notable differences in the reduction of crime and increased quality of life for Franklin citizens: Sergeant Jack Morgan 

Impact Award, given to the officer whose technological contributions have helped to keep the Franklin PD cutting edge in their use of computer technology in an electronic era: Sergeant David Prather 

Sober Streets Award, given to the officer who had the most notable contribution in the Department’s efforts to detect, arrest, and prosecute impaired drivers: Officer Cory Kroeger 

Medal of Valor: Officers Brad Dorman and Brett Spivy for their selfless pursuit and capture of an armed pharmacy robbery suspect. 

Medal of Life: Sergeant JP Taylor and Officer Leigh Ann Hester for their heroic actions that saved the lives of two citizens. 

Outstanding Investigation Medal: Detective Darren Barnes for his investigation of a cell phone theft ring tied to terrorist groups in Somalia that use cell phones to detonate explosive devices. Detective Barnes is also a 2011 recipient of the Department of Justice Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement for his work in identifying and arresting a serial bank robber.

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Franklin, TN – These two crooks stole more than $1,500 of Polo brand apparel from a CoolSprings Galleria store and information about who they are could increase your bottom line by up to $1,000.

The theft happened at about 1:30 on the afternoon of April 26 at Belk. The suspects left in a black, newer model, 4-door car. If you know who they are, call CrimeStoppers at (615) 794-4000.