title
A resolution honoring Col. Elmer V. Craig and Sgt. Johnny W. Craig of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and supporting the memorial highway designation on U.S. Highway 70/Lebanon Pike in their memory.
body
WHEREAS, Elmer V. Craig and his son Johnny W. Craig were lifelong Nashville residents who both served the Tennessee Highway Patrol with distinction and showed a deep dedication to law enforcement across Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Elmer V. Craig served the Tennessee Highway Patrol (“THP”) for 32 years, joining the force in 1942 after beginning his law enforcement career as a motorcycle officer with the Inglewood/Madison Fire and Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Col. Craig was quickly promoted and served as the supervisor of the Springfield THP Office beginning in 1949, but he truly found his niche with the THP as Commander of the elite THP motorcycle unit, the Yellow Jackets; and
WHEREAS, Col. Craig also served as the Commissioner of Safety, as Chief of the Driver License Examination Section in Nashville, and on the security detail for Governor Frank Clement; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Johnny W. Craig followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the THP in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Craig experienced the very best of all the THP had to offer, starting in the communications department, serving Governor Ray Blanton, helping to oversee the new THP office complex on Foster Avenue, among other assignments; and
WHEREAS, Sgt. Craig eventually settled on the Criminal Investigation Division and served in that division until his retirement; and
WHEREAS, Col. Craig and Sgt. Craig were the first father and son to serve on the THP. They showed a dedication to law enforcement and public service that ran in the family; and
WHEREAS, Col. Craig is currently honored with a memorial highway, fittingly located on the stretch of U.S. Highway 70/Lebanon Pike that includes the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, which was installed in 2011; and
WHEREAS is it fitting and proper that Sgt. Craig be included on this memorial highway sign to honor the lives and work of both men and to pay tribute to the first father and son to serve on the THP.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record honoring the memory of Col. Elmer V. Craig and Sgt. Johnny W. Craig of the Tennessee Highway Patrol who served Tennessee with distinction and showed lifelong dedication to law enforcement and public service.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council further goes on record as supporting the installation of a memorial highway sign on U.S. Highway 70/Lebanon Pike. Signage currently honors Col. Elmer V. Craig and it is fitting that Sgt. Johnny W. Craig be added in recognition of the first father and son to serve on the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.