Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
Hamilton County, Tennessee

Investigative Services

Personnel assigned to Investigative and Support Services are responsible for the service of civil process, communications, apprehension of fugitives and the investigation of all part one offenses including: arson, murder, auto theft, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny and child abuse cases. Investigative and Support Services is also delegated the duty of investigating internal affairs matters as assigned by the Sheriff. This unit is under the direction of Captain David Hamby and currently all personnel are assigned to seven (7) divisions.

Goals and Objectives
  • To seek justice and an enhanced quality of life through working partnerships within the community.
  • To utilize these partnerships in the investigation, prevention and prosecution of all part (1) offenses.
  • Conduct investigations in a thorough and professional manner.

Contact Information

Sheriff's Annex
Investigative Services
6233 Dayton Blvd.
Chattanooga, TN 37343

Phone: (423) 209-8940
Fax: (423) 209-8941

Office Hours: The office is open 8:00 am until 4:00 pm (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

Investigative Services Divisions

Civil Process is under the direction of Lieutenant Lenda Clark and is responsible for the service of all civil process within Hamilton County.

Communications is under the direction of Lieutenant Doug Wilson and is responsible for handling all emergency calls as well as coordinating appropriate responses to emergency as well as regular service calls.

Crimes Against Persons is under the supervision of Lieutenant Tom Ratledge. This unit investigates all crimes against persons including child abuse, domestic violence, assault, homicide, missing persons and suspicious deaths. This unit is also responsible for cold case review and investigation along with other matters pertaining to violent crime.

Fugitive is under the supervision of Lieutenant Lenda Clark and is responsible for the apprehension of wanted persons and their transport to the Hamilton County Jail.

Narcotics & Special Operations is under the supervision of Lieutenant Tom Farmer and is responsible for the investigation and apprehension of narcotics traffickers and manufacturers. This unit also provides a pharmacy alert program responsible for the investigation of pharmaceutical fraud and other technical services such as surveillance and covert operations.

Property Crimes is under the supervision of Lieutenant Tom Ratledge and investigates all property crimes over $500.00 including theft, fraud, burglary and other property related crimes.

Special Services Is under the direction of Lieutenant Tom Ratledge and Detective Chuck Gaston is currently assigned to this unit. This unit is responsible for providing services including: computer crimes and information services, evidence response services and other technical assistance to this agency and Hamilton County.

Investigative services has investigated over 5,546 Part One Offense cases within the last three years and apprehended numerous wanted fugitives. The main office for investigative services is located at 6233 Dayton Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37343. Investigators may be reached through the main office number of 423-209-8940 or contacted directly by email or through phone numbers listed on the crimes against persons, fugitive, narcotics, property crimes or internal affairs pages. You may also submit information through the feedback section of this website. All information submitted via the website's feedback form is transmitted directly to a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office employee.