A large number of people attended a retirement celebration for Sheriff Wesley Holt on Thursday at the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad building.
Sheriff-Elect David Beverly thanked Holt for supporting him as chief deputy in his administration that began eight years ago.
“You can bet that with him being one of my commissioners in the 5th District, he’s going to watch what I do,” Beverly stated.
Holt was elected as one of the 21 county commissioners in the August general election, a new role that he was sworn in to on Wednesday.
Beverly continued, “For three decades, you’ve worn the badge with honor and compassion. You worked tirelessly to be sure the work was done. Your vision has left a mark,” and not just the 59 policies Holt put into place as sheriff.
Holt spoke briefly, thanking his deputies and other employees for their sacrifices to protect and enhance the community.
He noted those present at the retirement reception included law enforcement from as far away as Carter and Cocke counties.
“It’s a brotherhood,” said Holt of law enforcement. “That’s what it should be. Wear that badge with pride.”
He said he was particularly proud of acquiring pay raises for his deputies. “Go home and hug your families,” Holt stated.
Holt also said, “We’re blessed to be here in East Tennessee.” He praised law enforcement agencies in the area who “all work together. We’re here to help each other.”
Holt’s wife, Michelle Holt, a detective lieutenant in the sheriff’s department, recalled how she met her husband as a rookie, and how he was nicknamed an “agitator” for stirring things up when he was present.
Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey joked, “We need to pray for (County Mayor Kevin Morrison). He’s going to have Terry Cannon and Wesley Holt as commissioners.”
Cannon, a former chief of the Greeneville Police Department, was also elected in August to the county commission in the 5th District.
Former Greene County Sheriff Steve Burns thanked Holt “for treating me straight.”
Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison read aloud a certificate of recognition from him and county commissioners that listed Holt’s accomplishments, including the implementation of a new statewide radio system, school resource officers for every county school, the move from paper to digital reports by officers, the installation of a state-of-the-art control panel in the jail, his 10 years as chief of the St. James Volunteer Fire Department and his continued volunteer work for that department and the Rescue Squad.
It noted that Holt is “known for his humor, humility and frugality.” Morrison also presented him with a coin that bears the county seal.
(More photos of the sheriff’s retirement reception are on The Greeneville Sun website.)