East Tennessee constables recognize former district attorney for decades of dedication to law enforcement

Several constables from Carter and neighboring counties recently gave former attorney general David Crockett a plaque in recognition for his decades of service in Tennessee’s law enforcement and his work with the Constable Association.

“His door was always open,” 7th District Constable Ken Potter said.

Crockett said he has spent over 50 years in law enforcement, spending much of his time in the district attorney’s office as both an assistant and then full district attorney.

“I am honored anybody remembers what we did,” Crockett said.

The constables said he has been an influential part of their history. Even state representative Timothy Hill said Crockett had an influence on his career.

“It is something very personal to me,” Hill said. “When I was running, my second stop was with David Crockett.”

He said Crockett had a political side to his job that made him a hub of strategy conversations for the entire community.

“To run in Carter County, you go see David Crockett,” Hill said.

Crockett said he has prided himself in prosecuting the law legally and fairly throughout his decades-long career.

“In my 40-year career, I have never worked with a district attorney who brought what Crockett brought,” Potter said. “He tops them.”

Harvey Shaffer, a constable for Carter County, said the constables would not be as effective as they are without his influence.

“We are the strongest constables in east Tennessee,” Shaffer said. “It is because of people like Crockett.”

This level of dedication is special, they said, because the concept of a constable is not universal across the state. Only a handful of counties have them.

“It is not like this across the state,” Hill said. “Tennessee is a very special place.”

He said this is why the constables’ achievements and those who work with them deserve such recognition whenever possible.

The constables said Crockett’s influence has reached into their training.

“He wanted the training so we would know what to do,” Shaffer said.

This kind of training was important, he said, because constables tend to be one of the first responders to any call. They need the training to know how to handle crime scenes and how to do traffic stops.

“Nobody does it for the money,” Sullivan County Constable Henry Price said. “It gets in your blood. You get a lot of satisfaction out of it.”

SportsPlus

Local news

City and County leaders provide updates on flood recovery efforts

Local news

City Council OKs contract with firm to navigate FEMA waters, hears update on Broad Street Bridge

Local news

NPAC announces new date for Artimus Pyle Band

Local news

City residents can burn small brush temporarily, City Council says

Local news

Milligan faculty lecture explores how blockchain tech can improve education

Community

Senior Center Schedule

Arrests

Elizabethton man charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

Local news

Historic Preservation Grant recipients announced

Local news

Five local veterans are part of 20th Snap-on Honor Flight

Local news

The Salvation Army of Johnson City announces makeup of Angel Tree applications

Local news

Gov. Lee announces Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program

Community

‘Death Comes to Sabine Hill’ features Early American mourning customs

Local news

FBI Agents provide technical assistance to help identify Helene flood victims

Church News

Church Briefs

Local news

The Isaacs will present a ‘Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry’ at NPAC Oct. 18

Church News

Why did God command us not to covet?

Church News

First Presbyterian speaker to examine research, perceptions related to near death experiences

Local news

Prestigious Bands of America coming to ETSU

Local news

Region A.H.E.A.D. activates Small Business Flood Recovery grants

Local news

Tennessee’s community colleges, TCATs mobilize statewide support of Hurricane Helene victims in TN

Local news

Local disaster relief officials add one more task to a full plate: combatting misinformation

Local news

FEMA Deputy Administrator Eric Hooks visits Carter County

Local news

Carter County Election Commission announces relocation of two voting precincts for 2024 election

Local news

Gov. Lee announces tax relief for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene