Vision = Success
Click the link(s) above or scroll down to see Daniel's vision for YOUR sheriff department.
Daniel's Resume
"Any executive position requires a detailed and transparent résumé. Since I’m applying to be YOUR next Sheriff, I want you to see mine clearly and confidently."
DANIEL TRIVETTE
POSITION SOUGHT: SHERIFF OF WHITE COUNTY
SPARTA, TN 38583
ABOUT ME
I’ve built a career centered around high-stress decision-making, financial responsibility, public service, and developing strong teams. My leadership is grounded in integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving our community. Over the years, I’ve completed advanced leadership training and earned recognition that has shaped the leader I am today.
LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING RECOGNITION:
• FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy
• LEIC Advanced Leadership Training
• First Line Supervisor Leadership Training
• Former President, Upper Cumberland P.B.A.
• Board of Trustees Member, The Way Church (Doyle, TN)
• Deputy of the Year – Governor’s Highway Safety Office (2013)
• GHSO Seatbelt Safety Award (2012)
• Recognized Expert Witness in narcotics distribution & meth lab production
• Selected as one of fewer than 100 Drug Recognition Experts in Tennessee (2011–2013)
• Member of the NRA
• Member of the Sparta–White County Chamber of Commerce
These experiences reflect my ongoing commitment to informed leadership, team development, and dedicated community service.
CAREER EXPERIENCE:
RAWLY-MAE FARM – Owner (2021–Present)
Petting zoo & agritourism • Event hosting • Licensed livestock dealer • Livestock transportation
APS SECURITY – Armed Security Officer (2025–Present)
High-value freight escort • Armed security operations
COOKEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT – Lieutenant / Shift Commander (2014–2025)
Patrol Sergeant • CID Property Crimes Sergeant • Field Training Officer/Sergeant • Less-Lethal Instructor • Community Nuisance Eradication Team • Recruitment Leader • Meth Task Force • Patrol Lieutenant • SWAT Operator • Firearms Instructor • ALICE Instructor • Background Investigator • K9 Officer • Patrol Officer
WHITE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT – Sergeant / Shift Commander (2009–2014)
Corrections Officer • Patrol Deputy • Patrol Sergeant • Field Training Officer • Drug Recognition Expert • Crisis Negotiator
U.S. INSPECTION GROUP – Housing Inspector (2007–2009)
Public & Section 8 H.U.D. housing inspections • Route planning • Coordination with landlords & housing authorities
WALMART – Loss Prevention (2005–2007)
Loss prevention • Inventory shrink monitoring • Shoplifting investigations & prosecution
EDUCATION:
• BETHEL UNIVERSITY – Graduatd with B.S. Criminal Justice, Police Administration
• WALTER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE- TENNESSEE REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY – P.O.S.T. Certification
• NASHVILLE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Criminal Justice Studies
Citizen with Special Needs
Let’s talk about an issue that affects many families in White County—how law enforcement interacts with members of our community who have special needs.
Every day, law enforcement officers respond to a wide range of calls. In some situations, they encounter individuals who may initially appear intoxicated, confused, or displaying unusual behavior. But not every situation is criminal. Sometimes what looks like erratic behavior is actually a medical issue, a developmental disability, or another special need that requires understanding, patience, and the right approach.
That’s why proper training is essential.
Officers must be equipped to recognize these conditions and respond in a way that protects everyone involved. Some of the most valuable training our deputies can receive doesn’t come from a textbook—it comes directly from the families in our community. Parents, caregivers, and individuals with special needs often have insights that can help deputies better serve those they encounter. These needs may range from mental health challenges to conditions that could become life-threatening within minutes.
But training alone is not enough.
As a sheriff’s department, we must also give our community tools that offer peace of mind:
• Stickers for vehicles or homes that discreetly alert first responders to special circumstances
• Bracelets with medical information or caregiver contact numbers
• Voluntary registries that allow dispatchers to flag a vehicle, address, or individual so responding officers know to use a soft approach or prepare for specific medical needs.
These resources save time, save confusion, and—most importantly—save lives.
For me, this is personal.
My son is a Type 1 diabetic. As he grows older, it gives me peace to know first responders could be made aware of his condition if he ever needs urgent medical attention. A few seconds of awareness can mean the difference between life and death.
Finally, our community must feel comfortable engaging with the sheriff’s department. Families should be welcomed when they come forward to offer guidance, share concerns, or introduce their loved one with special needs to deputies in a safe and relaxed environment. Those positive interactions build relationships, trust, and confidence on both sides.
Every life matters.
Every individual deserves dignity, safety, and quality service.
And it is our responsibility to ensure our deputies have the training, tools, and compassion needed to serve every member of this county with excellence.
This is why experienced leadership matters.
One powerful, low cost way to increase transparency in our Sheriff’s Department is by creating a Citizen Academy—and it’s time we finally make it a reality here in White County.
A Citizen Academy gives YOU the opportunity to:
• See, touch, and learn about the equipment and vehicles our deputies use
• Understand the resources and services the department provides
• Meet the men and women who keep our county safe—from corrections officers to deputies to the administration
• Participate in ride-alongs
• Ask questions, learn about procedures, and see firsthand why officers make the decisions they do
• Meet specialized teams like SWAT, K9, detectives, and the behind-the-scenes professionals who keep the agency running
I have been both an active participant and an instructor in a well-established, successful Citizen Academy. With that experience, training, and network of contacts, I already know exactly what it takes to build and sustain this program the right way.
As your next sheriff, I’m committed to implementing a fully functional, engaging Citizen Academy—one that finally gives YOU the chance to be directly involved with YOUR Sheriff’s Department.
Transparency isn’t just a promise—it’s a plan. And it starts here.
Chaplain's Program
Transparency is strengthened when we welcome our community into the daily work of the Sheriff’s Department. We’ve talked about the need to finally have a successful Citizen’s Academy—now let’s talk about another vital resource: a Chaplains Program.
A Chaplains Program is a volunteer-driven effort that allows local clergy and certified chaplains to interact with our deputies, staff, and community. It’s an affordable but powerful resource that offers both immediate and long-term spiritual guidance and support for officers who face situations no one should ever have to face alone.
Too often, law enforcement agencies unintentionally set officers up for hardship by not providing the training and resources necessary to address their mental and emotional health. A Chaplains Program brings faith-based leaders—people who have already dedicated their lives to serving others—into a role where they can support those who protect us.
Beyond serving the department, chaplains play an essential role in assisting with sensitive death notifications, supporting families experiencing unexpected tragedy, and stepping in to help with the many unique needs within our community.
This program would be a tremendous benefit to our officers and the people of White County. I’ve participated in a successful chaplains program and learned from many other programs that thrive across the country. It’s time for experienced leadership that will rebuild communication, trust, and connection between YOUR Sheriff’s Department and OUR community.
CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT
It is time for me to address the misinformation about me not being eligible for the 2026 ballot.
When I began this campaign, my vision was clear: restore broken professional relationships, bring back the level of quality and pride the White County Sheriff’s Office deserves, and open the doors of WCSO to build true transparency and community trust.
As a conservative, I have always respected our Constitution and the tremendous responsibility law enforcement carries to protect and preserve the freedoms we all enjoy. I’ve participated in White County elections since I was 18 years old, voting with conservative values and supporting the Republican Party.
However, I have always believed that local elections should be about local values—not party labels. Local leaders should focus on strengthening their community, not dividing it through unnecessary party politics. And when it comes to electing a sheriff—the top law enforcement officer in the county—party affiliation should never influence who receives fair and equal protection under the law.
It is time to address the misinformation currently being spread. When I first explored running for sheriff, several people told me I could not win unless I ran under the Republican ticket. I took that advice and began the process of seeking the GOP nomination. But doing so would have put both my opponent and me in a Republican primary—leaving many voters with no voice at all in choosing their next sheriff.
Recently, my campaign learned of a Republican Party by-law which defines someone “bona fide” if they voted in three of the last four GOP primaries. In 2024, although I voted in the November general election, I missed both GOP primaries due to work—once being out of state during one primary and out of county on the other primary election.
This does not disqualify me from seeking the nomination, but it gives the opposition the ability to challenge my “bona fide” status and potentially remove me from the ballot entirely.
While I have appealed this decision with both the local and state party, I have come to believe that the best thing for White County—and for the Republican Party—is for me to step aside in the nomination process and run as a Conservative Independent in the August election.
This choice:
-Prevents division within the Republican Party
-Ensures every voter in White County has a say in choosing THEIR next sheriff
-Keeps this campaign focused on community, not party politics
In the interest of full transparency, I have attached my complete voting records so voters can clearly see where my values have been expressed when I step into the ballot box.
As this campaign continues, you will clearly see how my conservative values guide my decisions and leadership:
-Be more efficient and effective with our budget
-Protecting everyone’s constitutional freedoms
-Retain good officers by providing the training they need to be successful
-And Making YOUR WCSO Great Again
White County deserves a sheriff who works for all of its people—and I am ready to be that sheriff. It’s time to replace complacency with vision and leadership.
I often hear from my critics, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Let me be very clear: it is broken, and I have the experience needed to fix it.
I challenge my opponent to take advantage of every opportunity to publicly debate the issues facing our county today. Voters deserve to clearly see where each candidate stands on the issues that matter most to them. Open, professional debate is not optional—it is a responsibility owed to the people of this county as we go through this job application process.
Neighborhood Watch Program
A strong community is one that works together. Law enforcement agencies across the nation are struggling to maintain adequate manpower and provide resources to the community they serve. Since law enforcement cannot be everywhere they need to be they need to work closely with the community to collaborate and be efficient with the resources they have available.
One way to build that relationship with the community is implementing an active neighborhood watch program. To create a successful neighborhood watch program, YOUR sheriff’s office should sit down with several or all members of each participating neighborhood and establish the guidelines for the watch program. The sheriff office can provide training on how to spot and react to suspicious persons, or vehicles, how to detect and report narcotic traffic, or to identify individuals who might be traveling through the neighborhood looking for valuable assets.
Training from your sheriff office should be include the following list of related topics:
- Installing and positioning security cameras
- How to report information efficiently to dispatch
- How to protect assets by keeping them out of public view
- How use lighting to deter criminal activity
- How to protect yourself from scams and cyber crime
The neighborhood watch program should have an officer(s) assigned to each neighborhood program to ensure that the program receives the assistance that it needs as quickly as possible.
Neighborhood watch signage should be positioned at each entrance of the neighborhood involved in the program to help reduce criminal activity. Signage should be clear and should have the WCSO symbol on it to show potential criminals that the local sheriff office is closely involved with the program to properly validate the program. Most of the older neighborhood watch signs in White County are faded, generic, and not uniform at all . You will see how the proposed signs pictured below look more professional and make folks aware that the sheriff office and community members are working together to reduce criminal activity.
Perks of a neighborhood watch program:
- Better law enforcement/ community relations
- Criminal activity reduction
- Better education opportunities for citizens to protect themselves and property
- Better communication for law enforcement to receive tips to go after criminal activity
These programs have proven to be effective all over the country and should be implemented and monitored by your local sheriff office on a regular basis. These programs must be carefully organized to truly be efficient. I have the experience to create and successfully operate these types of programs as your next sheriff.