HCSO Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Awarded Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award

Hamilton County, TN – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club are proud to announce that earlier this morning, HCSO Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement, Mark King, was named this year’s recipient of the “Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award.” On hand for the celebration were numerous members of the HCSO Executive Staff, his law enforcement colleagues, and members of his family.

Deputy Chief King is a 38-year veteran of the HCSO and is being recognized for his decades of service to the HCSO and our community in recognition of his formal retirement scheduled for May 28, 2024.

The Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award holds its roots to a program started in 1965 when former FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover and International Optimist Club Past International President, Carl Bowen, created the Respect for Law community program. The program was adopted locally because of the club’s belief that it is important for our community to recognize the many positive attributes of local law enforcement personnel who serve and protect the citizens of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Currently, more than 1,500 Optimist Clubs participate each year in recognizing local law enforcement officers who go above and

beyond the call of duty.

“Deputy Chief Mark King is known throughout our county and our state for his reputation for being a true law enforcement professional. I have spent most of my career working in some capacity with Mark and throughout that time, I have had the privilege to witness his commitment and service to the citizens of Hamilton County and his devotion to the very nobility of the law enforcement profession. His retirement will leave a significant void in our ranks and his decades of service will be remembered for generations to come. We wish him all the best in his retirement and in all future endeavors,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.

William Burton President of the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club stated, “For over twenty years our Optimist Club has participated in the Optimist International Respect for Law Program. As a community, we are deeply indebted to those who choose a career of service in law enforcement. These men and women serve as the front-line of protection for all of us, and we are proud to honor them.”

Gary Behler, Hamilton County Juvenile Court Clerk and Chairman of the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club Respect for Law Program said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Chairman of the Respect for Law Program for the past 18 years. Now more than ever, our brave men and women of law enforcement face an incredibly challenging and dangerous job. Every citizen of our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude for the service they provide each and every day!”

Please join with us as we recognize Deputy Chief King’s service and congratulate him for being this year’s Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award recipient.