STATEMENT FROM SHERIFF JEFF HUGHES
Advocating for Competitive Pay for WCSO Personnel
June 2025

Last night, I stood before the Williamson County Commission not just as your Sheriff, but as the voice of 350 dedicated public servants who proudly wear the badge at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Williamson County is known for excellent schools, vibrant communities, and just as importantly, for being a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. That safety doesn’t happen by accident. It’s made possible by men and women who are willing to run toward danger to protect others, often strangers.

But here’s the truth: we are struggling to compete for top-tier law enforcement professionals. Neighboring agencies in Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, and Murfreesboro have all moved forward with aggressive pay increases. Meanwhile, our deputies—some of whom can’t afford to live in the very county they protect—are waiting on the results of a pay study that may already be outdated.

We’ve made real progress. Since taking office, our staffing levels have improved significantly. But pay compression and low starting wages continue to threaten our ability to recruit, retain, and reward the caliber of professionals that this county expects.

We don’t need another study to tell us what we already know: when it comes to law enforcement, compensation matters. Public safety is the foundation of every community—without it, nothing else works.

These men and women don’t just put on a uniform. They put their lives on the line—every single day. While most people would risk everything for a loved one, our deputies are prepared to do it for complete strangers. That’s not just a job. That’s a calling.

I want to thank the Commission and the Mayor for their continued service and commitment to this county. But I’m going to continue fighting—for better pay, for better benefits, and for the respect our public safety professionals have earned. The people of Williamson County deserve a Sheriff’s Office that is elite—and that starts with competitive compensation.

— Sheriff Jeff Hughes
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office