Murfreesboro Police Employees Receive Promotions; Another Officer Receives Meritorious Service Medal
Five police officers have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant announced Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) Chief Michael Bowen. Bowen also presented a Meritorious Service Medal to an officer who saved a baby’s life.
Officer Robert Baer was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal for saving the life of a one-year-old baby who was not breathing.
“I am proud of the officers at MPD who serve their community in such an honorable fashion,” Bowen said. “Baer’s actions are representative of the caliber of individuals who serve our agency and are committed to the well-being and safety of others.”
The promotions include Officer Troy Black, Detective Jonathan Brown, Officer Joel Campbell, Officer Connor Gavlick, Detective Dominik Riley
“As our agency continues to grow, these individuals have shown their commitment to service and have demonstrated that they are ready to assume leadership roles within our agency,” said Chief Michael Bowen. “I am grateful that they are willing to take on these new responsibilities knowing that they will face new demands and challenges.”
Sergeant Troy Black was hired by MPD in 2017 as a patrol officer. Black’s assignments include Directed Patrol, Firearms/Less Lethal Instructor, Background Investigator, Special Operations Unit (SOU), and FTO. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Aquinas College. Black spent nine years as a member of the Louisiana National Guard where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Before coming to MPD, he worked for the New Orleans Police Department for six and a half years as an officer and narcotics detective.
Sergeant Jonathan Brown begin his employment with Murfreesboro police in 2008 as a patrol officer. Brown served as a Field Training Officer (FTO). He was promoted to detective in the property crimes and later moved to the Vice Unit. Brown became a Task Force Agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) serving on the Human Trafficking Task Force. Prior to his employment with MPD, he worked at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office as a booking deputy and served as an FTO.
Sergeant Joel Campbell began working at MPD in 2018. Campbell’s specialized assignments include FTO, SOU, and Directed Patrol. He is a Marine Corps veteran and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix. He began his career in law enforcement with the Anniston (AL) Police Department as a patrol officer, FTO, and a member of the SOU.
Sergeant Connor Gavlick became an employee of MPD in 2017 in the patrol division. Gavlick became a CIT officer, Background Investigator, and Report Writing Instructor. He was a 2022 STARS Award recipient for his efforts towards saving a child’s life who was a passenger in a serious injury crash. Gavlick received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
Sergeant Dominik Riley started his career with MPD in 2015 as a patrol officer. Riley became a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer. He was promoted to a general investigations detective and later moved to property crimes. Riley transferred to the Special Investigation Division as a gang detective. He later became part of the overdose unit where he became a TBI Task Force agent. Prior to MPD, Riley worked as a correctional officer at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and a legal investigator at the Shelby County District Attorney General Office. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.
These individuals were honored during a ceremony at MPD headquarters on Friday, March 22.
