MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS News) - Murfreesboro paused Thursday (1/22/2026) evening to honor the people who helped build the city we know today. Ten retired City of Murfreesboro employees were celebrated as the inaugural class of the Legacy Recognition Program, a new initiative launched in June 2025 to spotlight careers marked by dedication, integrity and long-term impact. The ceremony, held at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, drew families, former colleagues and city leaders who gathered to applaud the honorees’ decades of service.
City officials describe the Legacy Recognition Program as more than an award. It is a way of preserving the stories of those who devoted their working lives to making Murfreesboro a better place to live, work and thrive. Their contributions—large and small—are now formally woven into the city’s history.
The public had a window of time in which to submit nominations. The people had to have completed at least twenty years of continuous service, or thirty years of combined service, and must have been fully retired for at least two years unless special circumstances apply. Nominees may be living or deceased, but all must have left city employment in good standing.
After the closing deadline for nominations, a selection committee appointed by the mayor—made up of representatives from Human Resources, City Administration and retired employees—reviewed all submissions, verified eligibility and recommended honorees to the City Council. Those selected are recognized at a formal ceremony and receive a commemorative plaque, a personalized letter of appreciation and a permanent place on the “City Legacies” wall in the Rotunda of City Hall.
Congratulations to:
- Sherry Carpenter, City Treasurer and Director of Personnel from 1974-2009 and again in 2017.
- Glenn Chrisman, Chief of Police 1976-2015
- Susan Emery McGannon, City Attorney 1992-2017
- Dana Richardson, Director of Transportation 1985-2018
- Billy Vinson, Training Coordinator Murfreesboro Fire-Rescue 1974-2015
- Melissa Wright, City Recorder, Treasurer, and Director of Finance 1993-2023
Four Legacy Recognitions were presented posthumously:
- Roger Haley, City Manager 1985-2010 (received by his wife Holly Haley)
- Johnny Mosby, Assistant Chief of Police 1964-2006 (received by his wife Frances Mosby)
- Dennis Rainier, Director of Parks & Recreation 1971-2008 (received by his wife Nancy Rainier)
- Bobby Swann Chief Murfreesboro Fire-Rescue 1959-1988 (received by his son Tim Swann)
