THOMAS E. TUGGLE II
Thomas Tuggle has dedicated his life to serving our country, our state and our county. First in combat as a Marine 1987-1991, then served the citizens of Hernando as Shift Commander and Training Officer in the Hernando Police Department 1992-1995 and rose through the ranks in the MIssissippi Highway Patrol from 1996 - 2022, retiring as Lt. Colonel, a Command level staff officer. Thomas Tuggle served as Director of the MIssissippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy, the largest law enforcement training facility in the State of Mississippi. After 26 years of service, Thomas retired in April 2022.
EXPERIENCE TO KEEP DESOTO COUNTY SAFE
DeSoto County is Thomas Tuggle‘s home. He grew up in Hernando, graduated from Hernando High School and continues to call Hernando home. The strong conservative values he was raised with are the same values he lives by today.
Thomas understands the threats that face DeSoto County. His #1 goal is to protect the citizens, ensure the police officers have the training and equipment to serve the families of DeSoto County and make it home to their families each day.
LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE
Jan. 4, 1992: Sworn in - Hernando Police Department
May 1993: Graduated Class President of Basic Training Class
1993: Director of Explorers' Program
1994: "Top Cop" City Proclamation
1994: Community Outreach Coordinator
Nov. 1995: Joined MHP
1996 -1997: Troop E - Enforcement
Trooper-MHP
1998 -1999: Coordinator of Basic Law Enforcement Training
1999 - 2000: Troop E - Enforcement
2000 - 2006: Coordinator of Basic Law Enforcement Training
Master Sergeant-MHP
2006 - 2008: Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Executive Officer ( Lieutenant-MHP )
2008 -2012: Director (Captain-MHP) of all Basic Law Enforcement Training
2013-2015: Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy
Asst. Director (Major- MHP)
2016-2022: Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy
Director (Lt. Colonel-MHP)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Graduate Section Leader, Distinguished Graduate and Session President at the FBI National Academy, Session 260, 2015
• National Champion (Coach) (2011, 2012, 2013 &2014) Law-Fit Challenge; Olive Branch, MS.
• National Champion (2010) Law-Fit Challenge; George Mason University, Fairfax VA
• National Champion (2009) Law-Fit Challenge; George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
• National Champion (2008) Law-Fit Challenge; National Record for Individual Pull-Ups
• National Champion (2004) and Runner-Up (2003) in the Law-Fit Trooper Challenge, held at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia
• Certified by Texas A&M University in Vehicle Pursuit Driving (2000)
• Recognized as a member of Mississippi’s Elite 100 DUI Response Club (1997)
• Led District 3 in marijuana arrests (1999)
• Recognized as Trooper of the Year (1999)
• Twice (1997 and 1999) recognized as District 3’s Top Enforcement Trooper
• Instructed over 3000 officers from Mississippi in Emergency Vehicle Operations
• Director of Coordinators for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program
• Graduated from the prestigious Cooper Institute for Aerobic Fitness, Dallas, Texas
• Earned “Top Shooter”- Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Training
• Class President-Basic
• Keynote Speaker for Basic Class Graduation
• Director- American Association of State Troopers (Mississippi Chapter)
• Organized fundraisers that raised several thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
• Meritoriously promoted for graduating in the Top Five in Basic Training at Parris Island
• Top Student in military occupational skill training at Camp Pendleton
• Meritoriously promoted for being named Marine of the Year, First Marine Brigade
• Earned a second Navy Achievement Medal for outstanding leadership while engaged in combat operations during Task Force Ripper/Desert Storm
• Earned the Combat Action Ribbon in Southwest Asia, promoted to Sergeant.
SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
August 2016 - Present: Managing Partner - TET2 Elite Pros, LLC Self-employed
TET2 Elite Professionals offer training programs to individuals, military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and private corporations. We have 31 years of combined experience in the professional development of entry-level, mid-level, and executive-level employees, transformational speaking, defensive driving, drug and alcohol interventions.
July 2021 - Present: Training Consultant - University of Tennessee
Law Enforcement Innovation Center
HUSBAND, FATHER, MARINE, COMBAT VETERAN, BUSINESS OWNER, & LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
