(above photo) Truman Jones with his first TRUMAN SHOW on WGNS (Jan., 2011)
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS)- Former Sheriff Truman Jones, a man whose name has become synonymous with service, stability, and neighborly leadership, passed away Wednesday (9/9/2026) at Azalea Court Senior Living in Smyrna. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro, with Brother Darryl Lewis officiating. CLICK HERE for the complete obituary.
Jones’ passing marks the end of a remarkable era. Born and raised in Rutherford County, he devoted nearly four decades to public service, beginning his career with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in 1972. He rose to Chief Deputy under Sheriff Craig Snell and, in 1983, was elected sheriff — a role he would hold for the next 27 years. His calm leadership and steady hand guided the department through unprecedented county growth.
One of Jones’ most enduring accomplishments came in 1993, when he partnered with Superintendent Elam Carlton to launch one of Tennessee’s earliest School Resource Officer programs. The first five SROs — Barry Benham, Phil Brooks, Dan Goodwin, Bill Kennedy, and Bill West — set a standard that would grow into a nationally recognized model. Today, every Rutherford County school has an SRO, a legacy that traces directly back to Jones’ vision for youth safety.
Throughout his tenure, Jones modernized the Sheriff’s Office, expanded patrol coverage, and strengthened community policing as Rutherford County’s population surged past 300,000. Residents often described him as accessible, fair, and deeply community‑minded — a leader who listened as much as he directed.
After retiring in 2010, Jones found a second calling behind the microphone. WGNS’ Bart Walker invited him to host a daily talk show, and The Truman Show debuted in January 2011. Broadcasting each weekday from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m., Jones conducted more than 2,700 interviews over 11 years. His final broadcast aired March 1, 2022 from AdamsPlace. The show became a gathering place for local historians, physicians, musicians, and everyday residents — a warm extension of his lifelong commitment to preserving local memory.
When he ended his talk radio career, Murfreesboro and Smyrna honored Jones with proclamations and even the Key to the City, recognizing his decades of service in uniform and on the airwaves. Friends and listeners often described him as thoughtful, energetic, and a mentor to younger officers and community members alike. (Listen back to The Truman Show episodes)
Over his five decades of dedication to Rutherford County, Jones became the second longest-serving sheriff in Tennessee history. Beyond establishing the state’s landmark School Resource Officer program—a legacy carried on today by his son, Deputy Barry Jones—he also created the Crime Enforcement Unit and Interstate Crime Unit, which removed millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs from local streets.
Current Sheriff Kenneth Barrett, whom Jones hired in 1998, remembered him as an inspirational mentor who taught his department to lead with integrity and accountability. Colleagues recalled a leader who genuinely cared about his personnel, frequently making personal calls to check on individual deputies.
Having witnessed the county grow from just 10,000 residents to over 350,000 during his lifetime, Jones remained equally passionate about his personal life, notably his love for baseball, University of Tennessee football, fitness, and his late wife, Jackie, who passed away in 2016.
Sheriff Truman Jones leaves behind a legacy of service, stability, and connection. He shaped the county’s public‑safety culture, strengthened its schools, and spent a decade celebrating its people on WGNS Radio. Rutherford County has lost a native son — but his influence will continue to echo through the community he loved.
THOUGHTS FROM FRIENDS
Senior Judge Don Ash: "His career as sheriff helped shape our community. One only has to visit our schools and see police officers developing positive relationships with young people as well as providing protection to see the legacy of Sheriff Jones. He also developed a cold case unit at the sheriff’s department which led to numerous murder convictions. I have so many memories of his radio show at WGNS. Most importantly he loved his family, friends, and this community. I will miss my friend. Soli Deo Gloria !'
Rutherford County Sheriff Kenneth Barrett: "Sheriff Jones believed in me and allowed me to start my career on March 3, 1998. Sheriff Jones was an outstanding man and leader. He was an inspiration to myself and many others as he taught us how to lead with integrity and accountability."
Glenn Chrisman, retired Murfreesboro Police Chief: I had the privilege of working with Truman Jones for the majority of my law enforcement career. I am blessed to have called him my friend and colleague. We both worked for Sheriffs Robert Goodwin and Craig Snell as our careers progressed. Truman served Rutherford County with leadership excellence, distinction and innovation for decades. As one of Tennessee’s longest serving and most well-respected Sheriffs, he oversaw construction of the current detention facility, witnessed the growth of Rutherford County and its law enforcement service needs, supported the growth and development of 911 and construction of its current headquarters and chaired its Board of Directors for many years. The extensive list of his professional accomplishments will be better summarized by others in the days ahead. The creation of the School Resource Officer program was a defining hallmark of his tenure as Sheriff. The Rutherford County SRO program was and is a national model of excellence and forever changed the landscape of school-based law enforcement education, school safety programs and planning efforts and the strengthening of law enforcement relationships with all school aged children and young adults. Truman’s love for Jackie and his family was evident to all who knew him. Truman was also a man of faith. Although his duties and responsibilities as Sheriff required strength of conviction, difficult management and fiscal decisions and the operation of a large detention facility, his faith and family strengthened him to meet these daily challenges with courage and conviction. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him. “Well done, good and faithful servant …….”
But when I think of Truman, I will remember much more than his accomplishments. I will remember his wonderful sense of humor and those carefully planned practical jokes that, somehow, I always managed to fall for. Most of all, I will miss that unmistakable deep-toned laugh that usually followed. Truman was almost always in good spirits, encouraging those around him and treating people with genuine kindness.
That kindness extended to my longtime friend Lou Ferrigno, the “Incredible Hulk,” who also serves as a reserve deputy sheriff in California. During one of Lou’s visits, Truman made him an honorary Rutherford County deputy — the occasion captured in this photograph of the three of us. It is now an especially treasured memory.
I am grateful to have known Truman for fifty years, to have witnessed all that he did for Rutherford County, and, most importantly, to have called him my friend. He will be deeply missed.
Retired Assistant District Attorney J. Paul Newman remembered: "Truman Jones was a giant who stood tall and straight in not only the law enforcement community but our community. He was responsible for establishing the first cold case investigation unit in our county, which led to at least 6 successful prosecutions of murders that had remained unsolved for over 20 years.Truman loved people and if Truman was your friend you had a gift given to you that was more precious than gold. I will truly miss my friend, Truman Jones, a true leader and legend."
John Blankenship, attorney and a regular musical guest on Truman Show: There is so much to say about Truman, it’s hard to know where to start. So I guess it’s best to share the first thoughts that come to mind. First and foremost I remember a man of the highest integrity, honesty, and sincerity. He could not and would not be compromised. Next, I remember a man of devotion; devotion to the things and people he believed in. And his devotion begot loyalty. Once Truman became my friend I not only knew he was a friend for life, but also a friend who supported and encouraged me in everything I endeavored to do. We had our friendly/kidding tussles, but Truman had my back and I knew it. He praised my music as much as anyone I’ve ever encountered. He especially loved western music and he often said some of my western tunes were his all time favorites. He inspired me to write no less than four songs, some gospel, some western, i.e., We All Have Our Hills To Climb, It Took Far Too Long, The Prairie Will Always Sing To Me, and Six Gun Slim. And he said many times Six Gun Slim was his all time favorite song. Did he kindly embellish a tad? Perhaps, but I took it as high praise and honor nonetheless. I loved Truman Jones and I will miss him for the rest of my life.
Phil Barnett, volunteer emeritus: I met Truman after he was retired from the Sheriff’s Office. I was involved in a number of non-profits and would appear on the TRUMAN SHOW to talk about those organizations. We always had a good time, far too many laughs, and he constantly reminded me that I joined the U. S. Navy because of my admiration for the Village People. Truman would call me the night before a show and regardless of my next day schedule he would direct me to be at the studio before nine the next morning. I always did. We had no agenda! We would talk like we were in his living room. It was fun. One day, on the air, I asked him, "Truman you have Celebrities, Politicians, Educators, and Sports Figures on your show, why would you ever ask me?” He said one word “balance”! Truman was scheduled for knee surgery and would be out for 7 weeks. Bryan called me and asked me if I could help in his absence? Sure, what can I do? Turns out I hosted the TRUMAN SHOW for 7 weeks. I got to say, “GOOD MORNING RUTHERFORD COUNTY”! I invited the show's visitors. At 6 weeks he said he was ready to come back. I cancelled the scheduled visitor and told Truman I would still host week 7 and he would be my celebrity guest. We had a ball. Truman Jones was an amazing man. He knew everyone in Rutherford County. He knew the history of Rutherford County, and he knew the politics of Rutherford County. When he retired, I knew there would be no Truman 2.0. No one else could pull it off with the ease that he did. I will miss you my friend.
WGNS' Bart Walker recalled: "He carried a wonderfully dry sense of humor that kept me in stitches. He was also one of the most gifted, down‑home storytellers I ever met—able to paint ideas in full 3‑D and living color. And Truman was the kind of man you could always count on."
Frequent radio show guest Shirley Farris Jones: "I am sorry to hear of Truman's passing. We have lost a good friend and one of our finest citizens. Truman served our county well, and gave back to the community in so many ways. It was always fun to be a guest on his radio show and I will never forget the time the late Dan Whittle called in pretending to be someone else with some hilarious questions that neither of us knew how to answer appropriately. He was a great guy, smart, well informed, with a keen interest in history, along with an appreciation for the preservation of the special sites and places in our county and state and nation. He will be missed!"
WGNS' Bryan Barrett: "Truman was just as authentic off the air as he was on it. I had the privilege of producing nearly every show he did during his WGNS years, and honestly, some of my favorite memories came from the conversations we shared between commercial breaks. Getting him to take a break or end the show was always a tough task! Truman brought that same quick wit to every single morning, whether the microphones were live or not."
If you have a memory of Truman, CLICK HERE and share it.
