This week I want to emphasize traffic safety and to tell you about our award wining traffic unit that has earned the respect of their peers at the state and federal levels for their dedication to safety.

Traffic enforcement is one of the many functions law enforcement provides for the community it serves.  The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office takes our role seriously of keeping the roads of this county safe for everyone to use.

Bradley County is experiencing rapid population growth which is increasing the volume of vehicles using our roads.

On top of that with the change in seasons to warmer temperatures there is usually an increase in congestion on our county roads and a corresponding increase in accidents.  We anticipate further congestion when schools dismiss for the year and families begin their vacation travels.     

Our patrol division and the traffic unit both have traffic enforcement responsibilities. Deputies assigned to patrol have other responsibilities such as serving warrants and responding to calls for service, but traffic enforcement and accident investigation are the primary duties of those who are assigned to work traffic. It is under the supervision of Sgt. W.G. Campbell and they do an excellent job of keeping our roads safe through a program that encompasses a broad range of safety education.

In 2006 the unit received state and national awards for their efforts promoting traffic safety and DUI enforcement, where they placed first in Tennessee.

The deputies who serve in this area have extensive training in the area of traffic accident investigation and several have taken advanced courses in accident reconstruction.  

Meth lab found during arrest of burglary suspect


The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office found the components of a meth lab when deputies arrested a Cleveland man accused of burglarizing a residence on Mansion Hill Circle.

On Sunday April 24, the elderly residents reported someone had forced entry into their home through a back door.  Several prescription drugs and money were taken.

The Criminal Investigations Division was able to recover several fingerprints from the residence, which were matched to Billy Ray Zumstein by fingerprint technician Monica Datz in the department’s forensics lab.   Warrants were issued for aggravated burglary, theft under $500 and vandalism and on May 1st Zumstein was taken into custody on southeast 20th Street.

When deputies served the warrants they found a meth lab inside a recreational vehicle on the property.

Sheriff Tim Gobble credits the success of this investigation to the Criminal Investigations Division and the forensics lab being able to match a finger print that was taken from the scene of the crime with one in the local database.  

Additional charges related to the investigation could be filed including charges against two other people who were present when deputies found the meth lab.  Zumstein, who is 31 years old and gave an address of Blythe Avenue,  remains in the custody of the Bradley County jail.  

As part of an activity at Hopewell Elementary School brothers Reed and Chandler Bullins were chosen "Deputies for a day"  and were allowed to accompany School Resource Officer Deputy Russ Henry. 

They were given a tour of the Justice Center, visited the Mobile Command Center, sat inside a patrol car, and met with Sheriff Tim Gobble in his office. 

In the photo with Sheriff Gobble are Reed Bullins (white shirt) and Chandler Bullins (red Shirt). Behind them is Deputy Henry.

New subdivision targeted by copper thieves a second time

Bradley County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an additional case of copper wire being taken from new homes at Eagle Creek Subdivision on Mouse Creek Road.

Approximately 1,000 feet of copper wire was taken from homes under construction on lots 20 and 32 and another 1,000 feet of wire that electricians placed in the walls of the house had been cut but had not been removed.  The builder will have to replace the wire at a cost of approximately $2,000.   

The theft occurred between Wednesday April 24th and Monday April 30th.

The criminal investigations division of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is continuing an investigation of an earlier theft of wire involving three residences at Eagle Creek Subdivision .

Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office is investigating the theft of 3,500 feet of copper wire from several utility poles and outbuildings at 2729 Michigan Avenue Road.  The wire was taken sometime between February 1 and April 30.   

Anyone with information about these or other recent copper wire thefts is asked to contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.

UPDATE!

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in thefts of copper wire from new homes in Eagle Creek Subdivision on Mouse Creek Road.