Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh announced today he will retire next August rather than seeking another four-year term in 2026.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Rutherford County,” Fitzhugh said.
“From the beginning, I’ve sought to leave this department better than I found it by focusing on service, accountability and a workplace where people are proud to come each day,” Fitzhugh said.
His achievements include:
• Public safety: Increased patrols and enhanced drug detention efforts in schools; established a monitored “safe zone” at the Sheriff’s Office for secure personal transactions.
• Professional standards: Earned nine consecutive re-certifications of the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, each without deficiencies; secured certification of the Property and Evidence Unit by the International Association of Property and Evidence.
• Modernization: Upgraded dispatch, records and jail management systems; implemented drone units and new camera systems, transitioned to cloud store for faster and more secure operations.
• Fiscal responsibility: Consistently balanced the budget and completed fiscal years under budged; launched a cost-saving fleet leasing program that reduced maintenance expenses while expanding the number of patrol vehicles.
• Community impact: Expanded inmate education and job-training programs in partnership with local organizations to reduce recidivism and improve re-entry outcomes.
Fitzhugh oversaw energy-efficient upgrades at the Adult Detention Center that resulted in significant savings on utility costs.
He streamlined departmental operations by reducing management layers and aligning job classifications.
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