The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) linked increased trooper positions in Shelby County to a “massive decrease” in fatal car crashes on interstates here.
The topic arose in a Senate budget hearing for Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Wednesday. THP officials were asking for budget increases in the next fiscal year.
Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) credited the THP for much of the “success” of the Memphis Safe Task Force. He then asked THP Col. Matt Perry for the number of troopers in Shelby County during the beginning of Gov. Bill Lee’s two terms — 2019 and 2023.
Perry said in 2009, eight THP troopers were assigned to Shelby County, though he clarified that did not mean that was the total of troopers patrolling the county then. He said by 2023, nearly 50 troopers were assigned to Shelby County. At present, Perry said that number was closer to 75. If lawmakers approve the agency’s additional budget request, Perry said that number would rise to around 100.
He linked those higher trooper counts to decreases in fatal crashes. In 2023, the county saw 259 fatal crashes, Perry said. In 2024, there were 219. In 2025, there were 143.
”That’s a massive reduction in fatal crashes,” Perry said. “That started because of what y’all have approved in our previous budgets. More troopers working the road is how we reduce fatal crashes, reduce crime on the interstates, interstate shootings in Shelby County. It’s paid off in dividends.”