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Sheriff Garrett praised Weaver for her years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to Hamilton County. 

“Brooke has been a trusted leader within the Clerk’s Office who has proven her commitment to serving,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett. “Her professionalism and heart for service has earned the respect of everyone who works with Brooke on regular basis. She has served Hamilton County for nearly two decades. I am proud to endorse her as she asks our county to continue its trust in her leadership.”

Brooke Weaver has served the Hamilton County Clerk’s Office for 18 years, rising through the ranks to Chief Deputy, helping lead initiatives that have served to keep the community involved, informed, and engaged. Brooke’s candidacy reflects a continued commitment to this service.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Sheriff Garrett,” said Brooke Weaver. “Throughout my years in the Clerk’s Office, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Sheriff’s Office on many initiatives that serve our citizens. I greatly respect Sheriff Garrett’s leadership and dedication to Hamilton County, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue partnering with him as your next County Clerk.”

Sheriff Garrett’s endorsement comes as a part of his commitment to support strong, conservative leadership throughout Hamilton County.

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For Media: You can find the original press release below.

The post Press Release: SHERIFF AUSTIN GARRETT ENDORSES CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK BROOKE WEAVER FOR HAMILTON COUNTY CLERK appeared first on Garrett For Sheriff.

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett announced Thursday he will seek reelection next year.

Garrett, who was first elected in 2022, said in a press release that his first term focused on building a brand founded on customer service, professionalism and innovation.

“Serving as your sheriff is the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” Garrett said in the press release. “That is why today I am announcing my campaign for reelection.”

The Sheriff’s Office has built a reputation, Garrett said, as a premier law enforcement agency. Over the next year, the campaign will highlight his first-term record and his vision for Hamilton County in the years ahead, according to the release.

Garrett has leaned on his partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his first term, with transfers to ICE custody spiking significantly after he signed an agreement with the agency in March. Protesters have rallied against the program, while Garrett has defended it as a way to remove violent offenders.

(READ MORE: Sheriff releases first of promised monthly updates on unauthorized immigrant arrests)

The sheriff has also faced issues inside the jail. A former inmate started a petition after Garrett’s office removed several items from the commissary, ranging from snacks to over-the-counter medications.

At the same time, Garrett has moved to highlight progress under his tenure, which included salary increases for patrol and corrections deputies and the county’s $32 million jail expansion and renovation. When Garrett took office in 2022, the jail had 80 staff vacancies, but two years later, he said that number was down to 11.

When Garrett first ran for office, he sought to replace three-term Sheriff Jim Hammond, who was elected in 2008 and retired. Garrett is a native of Bryant, Alabama, and moved to Hamilton County in 1993. Garrett worked at the Chattanooga Police Department for 25 years before retiring as a lieutenant. Hammond appointed him to chief deputy in February 2019.

Garrett’s reelection campaign manager, Dalton Temple, did not immediately respond to a list of questions about the sheriff’s campaign.

The state and federal primary and county general election — including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, county mayor, sheriff and several other elected positions — will be Aug. 6, 2026.

“Every day, this office works to deliver professional law enforcement services to you, ensuring Hamilton County is a place where families can thrive,” Garrett said in an announcement video. “Join our campaign and together, let’s keep Hamilton County the greatest place to work, live and play.”

Contact breaking news reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.

Read the original story published on the Times Free Press here.

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Officials said, “Tyner Middle High was selected for this special visit due to it being the first day of school in this beautiful new facility and because both the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Chattanooga Police Department have assigned School Resource personnel at the campus.

The visit was an opportunity for Sheriff Garrett and Deputy Chief Hewitt to show their shared commitment to the safety, success and well-being of local students.”

“Our presence here today sends a message to the students, staff and families of Tyner Middle High that their Sheriff’s Office and Police Department are invested in their success—not just in safety, but in creating an environment where students feel supported, engaged and most importantly, encouraged. Our visit underscores the ongoing partnership between law enforcement and the HCDE, which is focused on fostering positive relationships with our youth and encouraging a safe learning experience,” said Sheriff Garrett.

“Please join with us as we recognize all our county’s students and wish them well as they begin this new, exciting school year,” officials said.

Read the original story published on Chattanoogan.com here.

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Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett said his office is regularly reporting between 35 and 50 unauthorized immigrants detained at the county jail each month, as National Guard troops were activated this week for immigration enforcement in Tennessee.

Garrett said Wednesday morning he hadn’t heard about the National Guard deployment but didn’t expect it to change how his office handles unauthorized immigrants. It’s unclear what the guard’s role will be locally, he said.

“They do a lot of different stuff,” he said in an interview. “They could come in and help process paperwork. They can’t do the law enforcement.”

(READ MORE: ‘So excited’: How ICE and the Hamilton County sheriff forged their new partnership)

The troops will help with administrative and clerical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in Tennessee, a spokesperson said.

“These service members will assist with tasks such as data entry, case management and logistical support,” National Guard Capt. Kealy Moriarty said in a statement.

Planning for the deployment is underway, Moriarty said, and will be coordinated with state and federal agencies to support the request for assistance from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Moriarty said the department has identified places in Tennessee where it is looking for support, but she could not say what those locations are.

Homeland Security did not respond to a request for information Wednesday.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol did not answer a voicemail or email Wednesday asking for comment on its level of involvement with federal immigration enforcement.

Gov. Bill Lee’s office did not return a call or email requesting more information.

Lee has long maintained that he would use state resources to aid President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on immigrants. In December, he signed a letter with 25 other Republican governorspledging their support.

“We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal — whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard — to support President Trump in this vital mission,” the letter said.

Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, condemned the governor’s decision.

“This is a dangerous precedent that will serve to not only tear apart immigrant families, but destroy our communities and our neighborhoods,” Sherman Luna said in a statement. “This is a classic playbook from authoritarians throughout history, using an emergency, real or invented, to consolidate power, to suspend the rules and rewrite the laws in order to serve their own interests.”

Tennessee lawmakers last year passed a bill requiring the state agency that oversees district attorneys to collect data on unauthorized immigrants who have been arrested.

(READ MORE: Hamilton County Jail is releasing more inmates to immigration officials)

In recent months, jail officials have reported an average of 35-50 people who admit to being unauthorized immigrants or who lack proof of a legal basis for living in the United States, Garrett said.

“We’re still doing what the statute requires us to do,” Garrett said.

The Sheriff’s Office is working on a way to make the number of people it reports each month, as well as their nationalities and charged crimes, publicly available, Garrett said.

Not everyone without provable legal residence will necessarily be transferred to federal immigration custody. That decision typically depends on their legal status, the space available in immigration detention facilities and whether a person has a hold placed on them by another agency, like the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the U.S. Marshals.

The county’s immigration reporting appears to be rising from earlier this year.

About 25 people were referred to immigration custody in both February and March, and 41 were transferred in April. Those rates mark a significant uptick from the past three years, when there were 41 transfers total between 2021 and 2024.

Charges related to driving, like driving under the influence or without a license, are the most common reason for unauthorized immigrants to be arrested in Hamilton County, Garrett said. There have been other, more serious charges too, he said.

“This month was really interesting. There’s a couple in there that we’re holding for the U.S. Marshals,” Garrett said. “There’s one that got a violent charge on it, some narcotics and handgun, there’s some DUIs … the biggest thing is the DUIs endanger the public at large.”

Most people reported from Hamilton County are of Guatemalan or Mexican origin, Garrett said.

The county is soon starting the process to join the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to carry out immigration actions, Garrett said. He said that program will reinforce what his office is already doing.

Garrett also introduced a new corrections chief Wednesday, Chief Tim Davis, a retired assistant sheriff from Santa Clara County in California.

He’ll oversee everything to do with detention and custody for the county, Davis said. On his first day on the job, he said he wasn’t sure how he would be dealing with immigration enforcement at the jail.

“I’m going to have to find out a bit more about what’s going on and what’s required,” he said in an interview.

In late July, Garrett shared a photo of a protester at a demonstration against his office’s cooperation with federal immigration efforts, holding a sign that said “Sheriff Garrett + ICE makes for a dangerous cocktail.”

“I’m going to have to name a cocktail after me now,” he said.

Garrett said he shared the photo not as a joke, but to “get a dialogue going” locally.

“I said, ‘Louder for the people in the back,’ so everybody can hear you,” Garrett said. “I’m encouraging the right to protest.”

That protester, Anna Golladay, said she made a social media post in response to Garrett sharing her photo in an attempt to introduce herself.

“I am surprised that he hasn’t contacted me since that introduction, to introduce himself and start the dialogue that he says that he would like,” Golladay said by phone. “I am engaged in the work, and I would love to have a conversation with him.”

Staff writer Mason Edwards contributed to this report.

Read the original story published by the Times Free Press here.

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During the past 14 months, Sheriff Austin Garrett spent about $5,400 of Hamilton County funds across nearly five weeks of travel from a Virginia FBI graduation to a meeting with U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty.

Through an open records request, the Chattanooga Times Free Press obtained Garrett’s travel expenses from January 2024 through February 2025, which show Garrett expensed about $5,400 for 34 days of engagements outside of Hamilton County.

As a working sheriff, Garrett is dedicated to the safety and well-being of the county 24/7, 365 days a year, spokesperson Matt Lea said by email.

“While he is elected, he will be the first to tell you he is not a politician, nor has he forgotten how to conduct law enforcement operations,” Lea said. “He actively responds to incidents, pursuits and traffic stops at all hours, side-by-side with our personnel. Whether in town or on the road, he regularly communicates with his leadership team to ensure the safety and security of our community.”

Garrett’s travels were mentioned twice this year in federal lawsuits filed by former District Attorney Neal Pinkston on behalf of Deward Johnson and Christopher Ayala.

Johnson was arrested around 6:30 a.m. on March 14, 2024, in connection with a year-old shoplifting incident at a Chattanooga Walmart and was dead by 9:25 p.m. while in the custody of the sheriff’s office, the complaint said. Ayala was arrested April 27, 2024, on charges of improper use of 911, and medical staff found him to be comatose after spending less than four hours inside the Hamilton County Jail.

Pinkston alleged in both lawsuits that instead of improving Hamilton County Jail conditions, Garrett devoted significant time to addressing problems 1,200 miles away at the U.S. Southern border months prior to Ayala and Deward’s detention.

“In addition to touring Eagle Pass, Texas, as part of a group led by U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, Garrett traveled to Nashville to participate in a press conference about the trip,” the complaints said. “He and Hagerty also hosted a ‘public’ event at the private Walden Club to ‘help our community understand’ … the ‘unmitigated disaster we are seeing unfold at the border.'”

Lea said this point of view overlooks the reality that law enforcement and government leaders worldwide routinely engage in educational opportunities, training and personal time without compromising their responsibilities or ability to lead.

“For an attorney, especially a former district attorney who also traveled to conferences and educational engagements himself, to suggest that Sheriff Garrett cannot lead the agency while attending a conference is short-sighted and petty,” Lea said.

Pinkston, however, said by text message his travels as district attorney are public record, and people will find he only attended meetings required by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.

The lawsuits speak for themselves, Pinkston said.

“I do not attend conferences,” he said. “I prefer to work.”

According to Garrett’s travel records, a majority of his taxpayer-funded visits included 23 days for Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association conferences, committees and meetings.

Garrett participates in annual mandated training through these conferences, Lea said. Additionally, Garrett serves on the association board as well as its legislative committee, advocating on public safety matters affecting all Tennessee counties, Lea said.

“It is not unusual, it’s expected, for a sheriff to travel and participate in training, etc., especially one who represents the fourth largest county in the state and serves in leadership positions on multiple statewide boards,” Lea said. “As part of his leadership responsibilities, particularly with the TSA, Sheriff Garrett regularly meets with legislators in Nashville and local, state and federal law enforcement leaders to discuss policies, issues and other matters vital to the law enforcement profession.”

Garrett spent three days in Stafford, Virginia, for an FBI graduation and four days in Nashville at an FBI conference, the records show.

The sheriff is a 2018 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and a member of the Tennessee Chapter of the FBI National Academy, Lea said. Last year, Garrett attended the annual conference that included training, networking and technology, keeping the sheriff’s office active in the organization.

In 2024, Garrett also traveled to Quantico to attend the graduation of Chief Deputy Spencer Daniels from the FBI National Academy, marking the sheriff’s office first graduation from the national academy in over a decade, Lea said. Garrett plans to have more sheriff’s office personnel participate in the academy moving forward.

“Graduating from this prestigious 10-week academy is a significant career milestone, and law enforcement leaders, both sheriffs and chiefs, across the nation attend these ceremonies to support their personnel and this incredibly important accomplishment,” Lea said.

Garrett was also in Franklin for four days from Feb. 18-21 last year for a meeting with Hagerty, the travel records show. During that time, Garrett and Hagerty held a news conference in Nashville about a group trip to Eagle Pass, Texas, where they met with members of the community and law enforcement, including U.S. Border Patrol.

The two-day border trip was not paid for by county taxpayers, Lea said, though the office could have paid from its travel or training budgets.

Garrett spent about $650 of his campaign funds, instead, according to his financial disclosure statement.

“The knowledge and insights Sheriff Garrett has gained through his involvement with the TSA and the FBI National Academy have had a direct, positive impact on our community,” Lea said. “Moreover, his recent trip to the border provided him with a unique, unfiltered perspective on the complex challenges of illegal immigration, enhancing his ability to address the broader implications it has now brought to our local community.”

Garrett also went to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of President Donald Trump, but it was a personal trip that he opted to cover costs for personally, Lea said, adding the visit serves as an example of the fact Garrett is always working.

“While in Washington, he accommodated media interviews and requests for comments from reporters in Hamilton County, highlighting the fact he makes himself accessible, even when he is on a personal trip,” Lea said. “He is always the sheriff, and he is always working.”

Friday, Garrett was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel, which underscores the importance of fostering meaningful connections and a commitment to public safety, Lea said.

“This opportunity to represent Hamilton County at such a significant meeting was made possible through Sheriff Garrett’s ongoing efforts and the strong relationships he has cultivated with local, state, and federal law enforcement, as well as Tennessee’s elected officials,” Lea said.

Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.

Read the original published story on the Times Free Press here.

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Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett is full throttle on entering into a voluntary agreement with federal immigration authorities to identify unauthorized immigrants who have been arrested on criminal charges.

Garrett is still reviewing the office’s application but will sign and submit it in the next week or so, he said in an interview after speaking Thursday at the Rotary Club of Chattanooga.

“People come to this country for a better way of life or for the American dream,” Garrett said. “I’m focusing on the people who are here to cause a nightmare. These are the people that are committing violence, and they’re here preying on people.”

The 287(g) program allows local and state law enforcement agencies to enter into agreementswith U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to check databases and determine the immigration status of people who have been arrested.

The program is entirely separate from the Tennessee law that passed last year requiring law enforcement agencies to relay the immigration status of any individual to the appropriate federal agency, Garrett said. The 287(g) program complements the law.

“This is beyond that,” Garrett said of 287(g). “That’s a documentation process. This is actually assisting with immigration duties. This is actually us doing some of the work for them within the correctional facility.”

Garrett said the agreement with ICE would not change anything for taxpayers, since ICE absorbs the costs of training and equipment for the deputies dedicated to the program, and their salaries are already paid by the office.

The sheriff said his job is to hold people who are committing crimes accountable.

“That includes me and my staff going out when our federal partners have warrants to pick these people up,” he said. “I’m going to be with them most of the time, and we’re going to go pick them up. I may be in a political position, but I’m not a politician. I’m a working sheriff.”

Garrett’s focus is unauthorized immigrants committing violent crime, but “if you’re here illegally, you’re committing a crime,” he said.

“There’s poison flowing into this country across the border from, not just coming out of Mexico, it’s coming from all kinds of places, but it’s coming across the border,” Garrett said. “I’m going to do what the people … elected me to do, and I’m going to work to keep them safe.”

ICE’s website displays the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as having a pending application, even though the sheriff said he has not signed it. He said he has every intention of signing the document and added that the sheriff’s office is going to pursue programs that help keep the people of Hamilton County safe.

Read the original story published by the Times Free Press here.

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With an annual allocation of approximately $70 million, the HCSO manages one of the largest financial budgets within Hamilton County government.

“I am incredibly proud of the fiscal discipline and transparency demonstrated by our agency,” said Sheriff Garrett. “This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our leadership to ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized efficiently and responsibly. This audit outcome would not have been possible without the leadership of my Chief of Staff, Ron Bernard, Senior Accounting Manager Carolyn Catchings, and their finance and purchasing team, who work diligently every day to ensure that the HCSO leads the way not only in law enforcement and corrections, but also in fulfilling our fiduciary responsibilities to the taxpayers of Hamilton County.”

The HCSO remains focused on utilizing taxpayer funding responsibly and prioritizing fiscal responsibility and transparency, said officials. This includes leveraging grant funding and cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiencies and maximize the value of public funds. This is evident in the fact it is currently managing over $13 million in federal, state and local grants, said officials.

Read the original posting here from Chattanoogan.com.

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Since its initial seizure, this vehicle has undergone a complete color change, from its original color to our agency’s standard fleet color of white, made possible through the efforts and generosity of local vendors, students, and businesses. From body work and painting to upfitting with lights and emergency equipment, every detail was covered through partnerships. Seized from a local drug dealer and using only Asset Forfeiture Funds, this vehicle ultimately came to our fleet at no cost to Hamilton County taxpayers.

Sheriff Garrett said, “This vehicle represents two specific purposes. The first is my commitment to the children of this county and providing them with the resources necessary to mitigate peer-related challenges. The second is my commitment to the community and a clear message to those who choose to sell drugs in and around this county. If you choose to sell drugs in and around Hamilton County, we are going to take your assets that are derived from criminal activity because in this County, crime doesn’t pay.”

This fully operational Sheriff’s Office vehicle will not only be involved in law enforcement operations, it will also be showcased at community events, parades, and schools to promote our D.A.R.E. Program. Serving as a mobile classroom and conversation starter, it signifies the Sheriff’s Office commitment to partnering with schools, families, and the community to build a safer, drug-free future for our youth.

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program plays a vital role in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to make safe, responsible decisions. By fostering awareness about the dangers of drug use, bullying, and violence, it empowers students to resist peer pressure and embrace healthy lifestyle choices. The HCSO D.A.R.E. Program strengthens community relationships by involving parents, teachers, and law enforcement in nurturing a supportive environment for youth development. Ultimately, D.A.R.E. promotes lifelong resilience, critical thinking, and positive values, contributing to the safety and well-being of our young people.

Since re-instituting the HCSO D.A.R.E. Program in the Fall of 2022, there are now five certified instructors teaching in five schools (listed below). By the end of this school year in May 2025, approximately 1,000 students will have graduated county-wide since 2022.

Read the original story here on Chattanoogan.com.

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The endorsement comes on the heels of Garrett’s first financial disclosure, and just over two weeks from the filing deadline to run for office in this cycle. 

In the Endorsement Letter from the IBPO Local #673:

“The International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local #673, would like to proudly announce their endorsement of Austin Garrett for Hamilton County Sheriff.”

“Since Starting in his leadership role in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Garrett has led the implementation of several programs within the Hamilton County Sheriff Office to include the Body Worn Camera deployment, educational programs within the jail, partnerships that address mental health in the community. And the complex transition of the Hamilton County Jail.”

After receiving the endorsement letter from the IBPO, Garrett stated:

“Receiving the endorsement and support of the IBPO, which is comprised of men and women who protect this community every day, is incredibly humbling. It has been a privilege to serve alongside them as chief deputy, and I look forward to the honor of serving them and the community as their sheriff.”

Please find the endorsement letter from IBOP #673 here.

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