Since 1993, Tennessee law enforcement agencies have received more than 41,000 military surplus items worth at least $121 million, much of that going to the state's smaller cities and counties.

According to a Tennessean report based on data from the state Department of General Services, the Washington County Sheriff's Office leads the pack at $9.7 million in equipment. It is followed by the Loudon County Sheriff's Office, $8.1 million, Livingston Police, $4.5 million, Parsons Police, $4.2 million and the Coffee County Sheriff's Department at $3.8 million in equipment.

Armored Vehicles in Rutherford County:

The LaVergne Police Department and the Murfreesboro Police Department have mine resistant vehicles known as M-RAP's. M-RAP stands for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has a similar armored vehicle called the Bearcat.

Lisa Marchesoni with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office told WGNS...

"The Bearcat was acquired by Homeland Security district 5 to use in this area of the state. It is stored at the Sheriff's Office. It was paid by grant funds. It has never been used by the military. It was built for tactical standards and may be used to respond for rescue and hostage situations, hazardous materials calls and calls of officer safety. Smyrna Police called for the Bearcat for a situation where a man fired several times at police. The Bearcat was used to safely rescue a bed-ridden neighbor and to take the shooter into custody."

Over the past nine years, Tennessee has moved from 47th in the nation to the top 10 in acquiring military surplus.

Correction:

WGNS previously reported that the Sheriff's Office vehicle was military surplus. That was later proven to be incorrect. The corrected version is above.

Source:

Partner Station WMSR
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Lisa Marchesoni