Hamilton County, TN – Yesterday afternoon, Postal Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service (Atlanta Division), formally recognized six Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and three Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers for their efforts to locate and assist with the apprehension of federal fugitive Justin Standard. Standard was wanted by Postal Inspectors for the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier that occurred in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 13, 2021.

On July 15, 2021, after obtaining a federal arrest warrant for Standard, Postal Inspectors began tracking Standard’s cell phone location and discovered he was no longer in the Memphis area. After determining Standard was likely headed for Chattanooga, Tennessee, postal inspectors reached out to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) for assistance in intercepting Standard’s vehicle. The THP also notified the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office for additional assistance.

Based on coordinates from Standard’s cell phone provided by postal inspectors, Troopers and HCSO deputies converged on a residential area and began searching for the suspect’s vehicle. Responding personnel soon spotted the suspect’s vehicle occupied by a person matching Standard’s description. At that time, Standard was taken into custody without incident.

“Yesterday’s ceremony exemplifies the excellent partnership and cooperation exhibited between the HCSO and our local, state, and federal partners. I am proud of our deputies who worked diligently in support of this operation who together, were able to bring Standard to justice without any further incident,” stated Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Austin Garrett.

During yesterday’s ceremony, the following law enforcement personnel were recognized:

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office

Deputy Joshua Richmond

Deputy Chad Meyners

Deputy Alex Spletzer

Deputy Chris Masterson

Deputy Rodney Brown

Deputy Ben Hayne

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)

Sergeant Stoney Morton

Sergeant Brad Simpson (not photographed)

Trooper Adam Malone

Also on hand for the recognition ceremony was U.S. Postal Inspector/Team Leader Phil Gentile, Assistant Inspector in Charge Scott Fix, Sheriff Jim Hammond, HCSO Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Mark King, HCSO Patrol Lieutenant Eric Merkle, and THP Captain Tim Spicer.

Please offer these deputies and troopers your congratulations and appreciation for a job well done.