The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department will hold a firearm certification course for retired law enforcement at the Department’s training facility in Baxter.
Sheriff Eddie Farris said 2004 legislation allows retired officers to carry a firearm anywhere in the United States by participating in annual training. He said the Department is proud to offer resources and opportunities like this one to the entire law enforcement family.
“We have a lot, once again, that have moved and live in the area,” Farris said. “We have a lot that have joined the Sheriff’s Office and become part of us at times. It’s just a really good thing. These are good families and good folks and we’re glad they’re in our community.”
The free session begins at 10:00am on March 6. He said construction began on the Baxter facility’s state-of-the-art firing range in 2015. He said the training center also boasts a top-notch classroom and will have a driving track added this summer. Prior to building this facility, Farris said the department did not have a space for firearm training.
“The need’s always been there, but obviously, we wanted to be one of the leaders of law enforcement and training in not only this area, but in Tennessee and across the nation, so I think that’s taken us to that level,” Farris said. “We’re very proud of that.”
Farris said all of the department’s law enforcement partners like the FBI and TBI have access to the center. He said the US Attorney’s Office will hold a training course in the coming months to teach Putnam County Officers about new requirements for writing search warrants.
“The better-trained deputies that we have is certainly better for our citizens and safeguarding them,” Farris said. “And all of the other professional things that go along with being a deputy and working at the Sheriff’s Office.”
In 2021, the facility was dedicated by the Putnam County Commission and named the Sheriff Eddie Farris and Major Jim Eldridge Training Center. Farris said the multi-million dollar facility has been paid for largely without using tax dollars. He said the department has acquired equipment through military programs and drug seizure money, then sold that equipment to fund construction.
“We’re hoping to add what we call a driving track,” Farris said. “A paved area, a large paved area so we can do our emergency vehicle operation training each year. And as you know, we’ve got a motorcycle unit. We use that for training as well, so we’re hoping to be able to add that this summer.”
Farris said he is very proud of the facility and the department is fortunate to have a resource to provide officers the best training possible.
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