White Pine Police Department

05/30/2026

*UPDATE - Roy Messer Hwy is back open.

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT 🚨

Roy Messer Hwy between Interstate 81 South and Weigel’s is temporarily closed due to a tractor trailer fire at the Pilot Travel Center.

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes while emergency personnel work the scene. We ask motorists to use caution and be patient as crews work to extinguish the fire and reopen the roadway safely.

We will provide updates as they become available.

05/21/2026

🚔 Click It or Ticket – We’re Tennessee, We Buckle for Safety 🚔

Beginning soon, the White Pine Police Department will join law enforcement agencies across Tennessee in the annual Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign.

Our officers will be conducting increased traffic enforcement to encourage all drivers and passengers to buckle up every trip, every time.

Seat belts are your best defense in a crash. Wearing one reduces the risk of serious injury or death and takes only a few seconds.

✅ Drivers and passengers should always wear a seat belt.
✅ Children should be secured in the appropriate child restraint seat.
✅ Buckling up is the law in Tennessee.

This campaign is about saving lives and keeping our roads safer for everyone.

We’re Tennessee. We buckle for safety.

05/15/2026

🚨 White Pine School Safety Update 🚨

Earlier today, the White Pine Police Department responded to a reported bomb threat involving White Pine School.

After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the threat was a hoax. At no time was there any credible danger to students, staff, faculty, or visitors.

We have also been made aware that multiple schools across Tennessee received similar threats this morning, which further indicates this was part of a broader hoax incident.

Out of an abundance of caution, officers will remain on site at the school to provide an added security presence and reassurance to students and staff.

The White Pine Police Department was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Homeland Security, Jefferson County EMS, and the White Pine Fire Department. We appreciate the rapid response and teamwork of all agencies involved.

We understand situations like this are concerning for parents and the community. The safety of our students and school personnel remains our highest priority.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the White Pine Police Department.

— White Pine Police Department

04/20/2026

04/10/2026

🚨 Traffic Alert – Signal Out 🚨

The traffic light at the intersection of Main Street and Maple Street is currently out due to a power issue.

Motorists are advised to treat this intersection as a four-way stop:
• Come to a complete stop
• Yield to vehicles that arrived first
• Use caution when proceeding through the intersection

⚠️ Important: This intersection is near railroad tracks. If the train warning lights are activated, motorists must yield to any approaching train and not proceed until it is safe.

A repair company is en route; however, the signal is expected to be down for an undetermined amount of time.

Please slow down, remain alert, and use extra caution while traveling in this area.

— White Pine Police Department

04/03/2026

We are saddened of the loss of John David Holland. John David worked as a paramedic,911 director,county deputy/K9 officer for many years in Jefferson County. Please keep John David’s family in your prayers now and the coming days.

It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of Patrolman John David Holland. John passed away at Fort Sanders Hospital on 04/02/2026 after having a triple bypass. John had been in emergency service for over 30 years in Jefferson County and came to work with the Rutledge Police Department last April. We ask for prayers for his family and children. Ptl. John David Holland will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Thank you for your service.

03/26/2026

03/20/2026

🚨 OPERATION SPRING CLEANING – DUI ENFORCEMENT DETAIL 🚨

The White Pine Police Department, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, will conduct a multi-agency DUI checkpoint operation on:

📅 March 20, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM

📍 Enforcement locations will include:
• Hwy 25E / State Street
• Hwy 66 / Roy Messer Hwy
• Hwy 11E / West Andrew Johnson Hwy

This operation is funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and is part of our continued commitment to aggressively address impaired driving in Jefferson and Hamblen Counties.

Let this serve as notice:

🚫 If you choose to drive under the influence, you will be stopped.
🚫 If you are impaired, you will be arrested.
🚫 If you are arrested, you will be prosecuted.

Impaired driving is not an accident — it is a decision. We will not tolerate behavior that endangers our citizens, families, and visitors.

Our officers will be highly visible and proactive throughout the evening. The objective is deterrence, enforcement, and saving lives.

Plan ahead. Drive sober. Or don’t drive at all.

03/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
White Pine Police Department
Date: March 18, 2026

Arrest Made in Child Sexual Abuse Investigation

The White Pine Police Department has made an arrest following a serious investigation involving allegations of child sexual abuse.

On March 18, 2026, officers arrested Thomas C. Payne, 58, of Greeneville, Tennessee. Payne has been charged with one (1) count of R**e of a Child and five (5) counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery.

This investigation began after a report was received on March 12, 2026. The allegations involve incidents that occurred between January 2022 and December 2023. The victim was between the ages of eleven (11) and twelve (12) at the time of the reported offenses.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case and to protect the identity and well-being of the victim, no additional identifying details will be released.

The White Pine Police Department takes crimes against children with the utmost seriousness. These cases are thoroughly investigated, and those responsible will be held accountable. While we remain focused on pursuing justice, we also recognize the significant impact these offenses have on victims and their families. Our thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones, and we remain committed to supporting them throughout this process with dignity and respect.

This remains an active investigation. Additional charges are expected in the near future in coordination with another jurisdiction.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the White Pine Police Department.