Long-time Murfreesboro Police Major announces retirement after more than four decades

Police Major Clyde Adkison has retired from the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) after 41 years of dedicated service.

Major Adkison began his career with MPD as a dispatcher in October 1978. Over the past four decades, he rose through the ranks. Adkison worked in the Patrol Division, Traffic Division, and Administrative Services. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in August 1995 and Major in November 2003. He served as the former Public Information Officer (PIO), former D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Instructor, and former Investigator/Photographer for the Fatal Accident Crash Team (F.A.C.T.). He also served as a board member and police coordinator for Rutherford County Crime Stoppers.

“Two of my most memorable things I’ve done at the police department; I was lucky enough to start the D.A.R.E. program and become Supervisor,” Adkison said. “Something else I always wanted to do is to attend and successfully complete the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; which I did,” Adkison said.

It was a standing room only crowd at his retirement celebration Friday, February 8, at the Murfreesboro Police Headquarters.

“So, folks it’s not about me today, it’s about ya’ll,” an emotional Adkison told the crowd. “Ya’ll are the ones who made me. I thank you and I salute you.”

“You treated me the same when I walked through the door as a patrolman as you did when I became Chief of Police,” Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen said. “That consistency and fair and honest treatment of individuals throughout your career did not go unnoticed.”

“Your fingerprints and footprints are all over this police department and the city of Murfreesboro,” former Police Chief Glenn Chrisman said. “You are a good man, humble and full of faith.”

Adkison received an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in August 1977. He also earned a Master’s of Criminal Justice Administration degree from MTSU in December 1987.