Sevier County Sheriff's Office

08/31/2026

🚨‼️Mark your calendars! 🚨‼️

Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr. would like to invite you and your family to join us for our fourth annual “Sheriff’s Shindig.” The Sheriff’s Shindig will be held on Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Sheriff’s Office (106 W. Bruce Street) located in the heart of Sevierville. This is our agency’s unique event for a night out with our community. We are so excited to have several community partners set up at the event, who will be onsite to equip community members with resources they have to offer. We are proud to host this event completely FREE of charge to our community with the following items/activities onsite: hotdogs, popcorn, refreshments, facepainting, balloon art, dunking booth, bounce house, Sheriff’s Office giveaways, and lots of fun! Most importantly, this event allows the Sheriff’s Office to have a night out with our community. All of our divisions will be represented, so if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to share! There will be a little of something for everyone at this event, so please invite your family and friends! Check out the attached flyer for additional details. You won’t want to miss this!

If your agency and/or business is interested in setting up with us for this event, please contact Sgt. Megan Watts by email at [email protected].

08/26/2026

At Noon TODAY! Her solemn bell will toll, a moment of silence across Sevier County, a moment of reflection, gratitude and in honor of our First Lady. Do something kind today.......🦋❤️

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

Historic Courthouse Bell to Toll in Honor of Dolly Parton; County to Observe Moment of Silence at Noon

In honor of Dolly Parton and her extraordinary life and lasting contributions to the people of Sevier County, the 1896 bell atop the historic Sevier County Courthouse will ring a solemn toll today at noon (Wednesday, August 26).

The solemn tolling is being held by Sevier County, the Cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, the Town of Pittman Center, and the Sevier County School System in conjunction with the Day of Mourning proclaimed in honor of Dolly Parton.

The courthouse bell will ring as a tribute to Dolly’s remarkable life, her deep connection to Sevier County, and the profound impact she has had on generations of people throughout the community and around the world.

In honor of Dolly attending and graduating from Sevier County High School, all schools across the county will observe a moment of silence at noon.

Residents and businesses across Sevier County are also asked to observe a moment of silence today at noon in remembrance of Dolly’s remarkable life and to keep her family, friends, and loved ones around the world in their thoughts and prayers.

The five-minute tolling of the 1896 bell will serve as a solemn tribute to Dolly Parton and a reminder of the lasting difference she made in the place she always called home.

City of Sevierville, Tennessee Government
City of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Government
City of Gatlinburg
Town of Pittman Center, TN City Hall

08/25/2026

We join all of Sevier County in remembering our First Lady.

She gave us music that will live forever. She gave children books. She gave hope to families. She gave back to her community and she showed the world that you can become incredibly successful without ever losing your humility, your kindness, or your faith.

As Sheriff, I am especially proud that this is the place Dolly Parton called home.

Her fingerprints are all over these mountains, and her legacy will remain here for generations. Today, I pray for her family, her friends, and the countless people who loved her, here and all over the world.

Dolly, thank you for making our mountains, our home, and our world brighter.

Rest in the arms of Jesus.

🙏🇺🇸❤️🏔️ 🎶

08/24/2026

Calling all seniors! Come visit us at the My People Senior Activity Center on Friday, September 11th, from 9:30-1:30 for the 2026 Senior Information Fair! As you can see on the flyer, there are several informative topics that will be covered -along with having the opportunity to visit with multiple vendors to see what resources they have to offer, the chance to win some awesome door prizes, and having a delicious FREE lunch! For reservations, call 865-453-8080. You must RSVP by September 9th. Spots are limited, so make your reservations today!

08/22/2026

Tonight, I was notified and responded to an incident involving a corrections officer with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

Corrections Officer Scottie Vineyard drove his county-issued transport vehicle to attend the Seymour football game. While at the game, Vineyard was wearing an SCSO polo shirt displaying a badge insignia and was carrying a firearm. Near the end of the game, an individual who had contact with Vineyard reported detecting the odor of alcohol. SCSO supervisors were immediately notified and responded.

Following the investigation, SCSO supervisors determined that Scottie Vineyard consumed alcohol while at the game. He was taken into custody without incident, transported to the Sevier County Jail, and charged with Public Intoxication and Possession of a Handgun While Under the Influence. His employment with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office was terminated immediately.

Our supervisors did exactly what I expect of every member of this agency. They responded immediately, investigated the facts and made the arrest as the circumstances warranted it.

I would like to apologize to the people of Sevier County for his conduct. To say I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed is an understatement. Please know that the actions of this one individual do not define this agency, diminish the integrity of those who serve honorably, or represent the standards I demand as Sheriff.

Every single one of our employees understands that accountability is not optional, and this profession will never be a shield from consequences. No one, including me, will be exempt from the standards the people of Sevier County have every right to expect.

Respectfully,

-Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr.

08/20/2026

Sheriff’s Shindig Event Announcement -You’re Invited!

Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr. would like to invite you and your family to join us for our fourth annual “Sheriff’s Shindig.” The Sheriff’s Shindig will be held on Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Sheriff’s Office (106 W. Bruce Street) located in the heart of Sevierville. This is our agency’s unique event for a night out with our community. We are so excited to have several community partners set up at the event, who will be onsite to equip community members with resources they have to offer. We are proud to host this event completely FREE of charge to our community with the following items/activities onsite: hotdogs, popcorn, refreshments, facepainting, balloon art, dunking booth, bounce house, Sheriff’s Office giveaways, and lots of fun! Most importantly, this event allows the Sheriff’s Office to have a night out with our community. All of our divisions will be represented, so if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to share! There will be a little of something for everyone at this event, so please invite your family and friends! Check out the attached flyer for additional details. You won’t want to miss this!

If your agency and/or business is interested in setting up with us for this event, please contact Sgt. Megan Watts by email at [email protected].

08/19/2026

Last night, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office was proud to participate in Cookout With The Cops hosted by the Sevierville Police Department! Despite getting postponed last week due to weather, there was a great turnout and the weather was much nicer to everyone this week😁 Thank you to everyone who came out. We appreciate the Sevierville Police Department for bringing everyone together and providing a great afternoon of fellowship!

08/17/2026

We appreciate the Seymour High School Band, “The Sound of Seymour,” for inviting us to their Touch-A-Truck Event on Saturday. Despite the rain about halfway through the event, which we were not completely mad about because it cooled us off😂, there was a great turnout for it being a first-time event! The event featured an environment that allowed community members to touch their favorite vehicles, get behind the wheel, and meet the people who help to build, protect, and serve our community -all in one place. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your event to help raise funds for all of the band's needs.

08/14/2026

🏈 Sheriff Michael R. Hodges, Jr~First full week of school is in the books & County Wide Jamboree is tonight! From all of us at the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office~best of luck for a successful season! 🏈
Come out and connect with me and our SROs tonight!
🔵🟡 🏈 G-P
🟣🟣 🏈 Kings
🟢🟡 🏈 Northview
🟠⚫️ 🏈 Pigeon Forge
🟣⚪️ 🏈 Sevier County
🟡🔵 🏈 Seymour

08/07/2026

This week, the Sevier County Sheriff's Office was proud to host a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training, instructed by Lt. Rebecca Cowan. The following deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were in attendance: Bryce Effler, Nathaniel Wert, and Cayden Waters.

This specialized training equips our deputies and other law enforcement partners with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Through education, communication, and de-escalation techniques, officers are better prepared to safely resolve difficult situations while connecting individuals with the help they need.

Thank you Lt. Cowan for sharing your expertise and we appreciate the Gatlinburg Police Department and the Sevierville Police Department for sending some of their officers to this crucial training. Congratulations on becoming CIT certified!