In recognition of the actions made by the Collierville Police Department in the face of community crisis during the September 23rd tragedy, the Tennessee Municipal League presented the Town with an award for Excellence in Police Services. 

Each year the Tennessee Municipal League honors cities throughout the state for overall excellence, improvement, specific outstanding programs, or department accomplishments. The Excellence in Police Services award was presented Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at the 82nd Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. 

(Pictured at the awards ceremony (L-R) Assistant Police Chief Jeff Abeln, Police Chief Dale Lane, TML President and City of Franklin Mayor Ken Moore, Town of Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner, and Town Administrator James Lewellen.) 

On the afternoon of Sept. 23, 2021, Collierville Police responded to an active shooter in Kroger on Byhalia Road. Within minutes, officers were in the store to secure the scene, firefighter paramedics were providing medical assistance, and the departments worked together to get employees and customers to safety.  

Police Chief Dale Lane said the quick response of both first responders to the site as well as the training and quick thinking of Kroger employees helped to save lives that day. Support from the Collierville Fire Department to render aid to those injured preserved life at the. Months before the incident at Kroger, the Police and Fire Departments participated in a multi-agency, multi-discipline training sessions that focused on many of the tactics both departments would later use to respond to the September shooting. 

The Police Department’s response to the shooting was possible due to the department’s “whole community” approach to policing that focuses on relieving residents from the fear of crime beyond just reducing crime. By employing technical crime fighting tools, staying engaged on a personal level with the community they serve, and focusing on professional development and training, the department was able react swiftly and purposefully to the mass shooting. 

The Police Department continued to be on-hand in the days and weeks following the September 23rd tragedy not only to investigate but also to support their bereaved community.

The Police Department continues to use cutting edge technology like unmanned aerial systems, license plate reader technology, and data-driven crime fighting solutions while still maintaining personal and professional relationships with the community through community policing solutions like Citizen Police Academies, Explorer Academies, Neighborhood Watch Programs, and National Night Out Events.

Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League serves as the voice of and advocate for Tennessee’s 345 towns and cities.