About the Candidate
Daniel Trivette moved to White County in 1988 when he was only six-years-old. His father, James Trivette accepted a pastoral position at Calvary Baptist Church on Roberts Matthews Highway at that time. Daniel has primarily resided in White County ever since. He earned his high school diploma through a homeschool program called Family Christian Academy in 2000. He then received college credit through Nashville State Community College and Walter State Community College. He later graduated from Bethel University in 2017 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
Early Career
Daniel began his career working alongside his father in the family-owned custodial services business. He then took a position at Institution Wholesale Company (IWC) in Algood, TN, before leaving to pursue criminal justice studies at Nashville State Community College. While attending college, Daniel worked at Walmart and eventually transitioned into a role with the loss prevention team at the Sparta Walmart.
Following his time at Walmart, Daniel accepted a subcontracting position as a HUD housing inspector with a company based in Crossville, TN. In this role, he managed contracts across multiple states gaining extensive experience with federal housing programs, scheduling inspections, learning building codes, working with both landlords and tenants, and completing detailed reports.
Law Enforcement Career
In 2009, Daniel chose to return to Sparta and enrolled in the East Tennessee Regional Police Academy at Walters State Community College, where he earned his P.O.S.T. certification. He began his law enforcement career as a corrections officer at the White County Sheriff’s Department and was soon promoted to road patrol deputy in 2010.
In 2011, Daniel was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, leading an evening shift team. During this time, he became a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)—one of fewer than 100 in Tennessee—and received "Deputy of the Year" honors in 2013 from the Governor’s Safety Office for his DUI and traffic safety efforts. He also received training as a Crisis Negotiator and First Line Supervisor.
A notable achievement during his tenure was a DUI case he investigated that ultimately led to a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling. The ruling upheld the conviction and established new case law allowing Tennessee law enforcement to perform community caretaking functions, aligning the state with national standards.
In 2014, Daniel joined the Cookeville Police Department, initially serving in the patrol division before quickly being promoted to Patrol Sergeant in the Uniformed Services Bureau. He later transferred to the Property Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and supervised that unit. His final promotion at Cookeville PD was to Lieutenant in the Uniformed Services Bureau, where he served as a shift commander for several years.
Throughout his time at the Cookeville PD, Daniel held multiple specialized roles and certifications, including:
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SWAT Team Member
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K9 Unit Member
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Community Nuisance Eradication Team (CNET)
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TN Meth Task Force
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Recruitment Team Leader
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Less-Lethal Device Instructor
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ALICE (Active Shooter) Instructor
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Background Investigator
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Field Training Officer and Supervisor
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Firearms Instructor
Daniel also played a critical role in recruitment, interviewing, and background investigations for new officers. He was involved in training programs for both new recruits and supervisors, and created individual training schedules to help officers advance their skills.
As part of an internationally accredited agency (through C.A.L.E.A.), Daniel gained valuable experience in meeting high operational and ethical standards. He received advanced training in homicide and crime scene investigations and worked extensively with partner agencies.
Leadership Training & Experience
Daniel is a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) program, earning the prestigious Trilogy Award after completing all three leadership levels: first-line supervision, middle management, and executive management. He also completed the Advanced Leadership course offered by the Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) through the University of Tennessee.
With over 15 years of experience in law enforcement—12 of those in supervisory roles—Daniel consistently demonstrated effective leadership and earned rapid promotions in both agencies he served.
Daniel has served as the president of the Upper Cumberland Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association for several years. He currently attends The Way church in Doyle, TN and is a member of the church board of trustees. Daniel is also a member of the Sparta/White County Chamber of Commerce.
Farm & Family
Daniel is married to Jerrica "Joni" Simpson Trivette,who is a graduate of White County Highschool. Joni completed her college education at both Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor degree in education. She then completed her master degree online with the Cumberland University. She was an active participant in various White County sports programs leading up to and during high school years. She was then recruited to Cumberland University where she played collegiate volleyball. Upon completing her education she was selected as both head coach and assistance coach at elementary, middle school and high school level.
Joni spent more than a decade as a special education teacher in the White County School System before transitioning in 2023 to work full-time at the family business—Rawly-Mae Farm—which the couple founded in 2021.
The farm began with a single horse, which their children, Elyza (9) and Ralston (7), began riding at age two. Since then, both children have participated in various youth rodeo associations and saddle clubs, winning several state-level awards.
In 2022, Rawly-Mae Farm expanded into the mini cattle market. Daniel and Joni became registered livestock dealers through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the USDA. Their farm now includes a variety of exotic livestock, including:
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Mini Highland Cattle
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Mini Donkeys
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Camelids (alpacas & llamas)
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Goats
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Rare Chicken Breeds
In February 2025, Daniel retired from law enforcement and joined Joni full-time in managing Rawly-Mae Farm. Together, they have built a successful and growing agricultural business. Their customer base has expanded to over 23 states in just a few years time.
Experience Summary
Daniel Trivette is a dedicated professional with a diverse career spanning law enforcement, federal housing inspection, and agricultural entrepreneurship. He brings proven leadership, a commitment to public service, and a passion for community and family into every endeavor.