(L-R) Sergeant Eldon Currey, Will Wall, Executive Director of Tennessee Corrections Institute

Rutherford County Correctional Work Center Sergeant Eldon “Chet” Currey Receives Top Award

Sergeant Eldon “Chet” Currey, Training Coordinator for the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center, has been named Facility Training Officer of the Year by the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI). The award was presented during the TCI annual awards dinner held on Thursday, April 23, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville South Cool Springs.

This prestigious recognition honors a full-time certified training officer who demonstrates exceptional professionalism, leadership, and dedication to advancing training and education within a correctional facility. Currey was selected for his outstanding commitment to developing innovative, up-to-date training programs that enhance the preparedness, safety, and professionalism of correctional staff.

As Training Coordinator, Currey has played a vital role in modernizing training practices, ensuring staff receive relevant, practical instruction that reflects the evolving demands of today’s correctional environment. His leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in training operations and has strengthened the overall effectiveness of staff development within the agency. His work has also served as a model for other facilities across the state of Tennessee.

Rutherford County Correctional Work Center Superintendent William Cope has worked alongside Currey for nearly three decades across multiple correctional facilities, praised his dedication and impact.

“Sergeant Currey’s commitment to excellence in training has had a lasting influence on our staff and our operations,” Cope said. “His ability to adapt, innovate, and lead in this critical area makes him truly deserving of this recognition. This Award reflects Sergeant Currey’s unwavering dedication to the profession of corrections and his continued efforts to elevate training standards for correctional professionals. I am very proud of his achievements and dedication to Rutherford County.”

Currey expressed his gratitude on receiving the top award.

"It is a privilege and an honor to have been nominated for this award,” Currey said. “ I'm proud that my supervisors have instilled this faith and trust in me. Thanks also to the staff of the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center for using the training provided on a daily basis to change the lives of returning citizens."

This is the fourth top TCI honor the Correctional Work Center has received in the last five years: Superintendent William Cope, 2021 Administrator of the Year; Lieutenant Thad Oclaray, 2022 Training Officer of the Year; Corporal Kim Salyer, 2025 Facilitator of the Year; Sergeant Eldon Currey, 2026 Training Officer of the Year.