Chief Roddy Parker proudly served Williamson County for 46 years. After retiring in August, he has continued to be celebrated and recognized for his lifelong dedication to keeping our city and community safe.
Roddy was raised in Arrington and is a graduate of Franklin High School. While he always had an interest in working in the police force, he was never quite sure if it was a career he would fulfill. At age 17, he volunteered with the Williamson County
Rescue Squad, where he became familiar with emergency services and law enforcement, and never turned back. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Middle Tennessee State University, Roddy was officially hired on as a dispatcher - back when the sheriff’s office would dispatch itself.
“It was something I thought I’d do for a couple years and if it didn’t pan out, I was still young enough to change course. But it just got into my blood. I loved every part of it,” Roddy says.
Over the years, he watched the sheriff’s department grow from 30 officers to over 300. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life was always fulfilling to him, saying "it was the best part" of his job. He always says how much it meant to him to serve in the community where he grew up in, alongside the people he was raised with.
“The two most rewarding parts of the job were helping people and being able to guide other officers to realize their career goals,” he says. “Bringing a lost child home, returning a stolen heirloom, or putting a bad guy in jail that had harmed a family member was always rewarding when you saw the victim’s face.”
Chief Parker adds that the growth he experienced within the county was very exciting, as every day brought something new. When he became patrol captain, he started a new K9, search and rescue, traffic, and aviation unit - all things he was able to be involved in. While he enjoyed every aspect of his career, he loved when he got to be out and about in the community.
"Encouraging officers to take part in opportunities they may have never thought of was a highlight of my time serving as well," he says. Whether it be finishing college or to attend training, it was essential for him to help pave the way for those following in his footsteps by introducing them to new possibilities.
After 39 years at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, Roddy got the opportunity to become Chief of Police at the Nolensville Police Department. This felt like the ideal next step, as he wanted to continue to serve the local community he had grown to know and love his whole life. To make it even more special, he reflected on a full-circle moment, detailing the time he was
featured in a “Man Behind the Badge” news article when he had first started in the department out of college. In the interview, he was asked about his goals and aspirations, to which he responded, "One day I would like to be the chief in a small town." Mission accomplished.
While Roddy may be retired, his plans to continue serving the community will not be coming to an end anytime soon. He is looking forward to spending time volunteering at BrightStone, a nonprofit, work and lifelong learning program for adults who live with developmental disabilities. “I want to find a way to give back," he says. "A little bit of kindness can go a long way. I also cannot forget the people I worked with along the way and how fantastic they are. The people of Williamson County don’t know how lucky they are to have such quality public servants."
From graduating from the FBI National Academy to becoming Chief Officer, Roddy had an admirable run showcasing the ultimate levels of strength, bravery, and sacrifice. With all the time he now has on his hands, Roddy says you can likely find him fishing on his boat, hanging out with family and friends, or dabbling with old cars.