Pikeville Police Department

Protecting and Enhancing Small Town Life

Chief of Police

Chief of Police – Ronald Byrd

In May 1999, members of the Pikeville City Council welcomed new Police Chief Ronald Byrd. Chief Byrd graduated from Bledsoe County High School in 1969. He then entered the United States Army in 1974, and retired in 1995 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. After 21 years serving in the United States Army, he was hired as a Patrolman with the City of Pikeville in 1996. Chief Byrd attended Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) in August 1996. He worked his way through the ranks of the Pikeville Police Department, and was appointed Chief of Police in May 1999.

Through many years of service to the City of Pikeville, it is my mission to provide professional and courteous Law Enforcement Services to the citizens of Pikeville. Through my leadership I will ensure that all officers are held to a higher standard and are professional and courteous both on and off duty. By giving my Officers the opportunity for advanced training, it is my goal to employ new and progressive policing tactics to address the needs of our City.

My job as Chief of Police is to ensure that each and every person has the highest quality of life by addressing the criminal element and ensuring the safety of the citizens of Pikeville.

Assistant Chief of Police

Asst. Chief of Police – David Decker

In August 2021, David Decker was hired as a Patrol Officer with the Pikeville Police Department. With having 30 years of Law Enforcement experience, he was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Police in November 2022. Assistant Chief Decker started his law enforcement career with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office on January 7, 1991. He is a graduate of the JC Stone Criminal Justice Institute as well as, the Kissimmee Police Academy. Assistant Chief Decker has a wide variety of experience from Corrections, Uniform Patrol, Field Training Officer, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, and Mounted Patrol. He successfully completed Line Supervision, Middle Management, and Command Officer Development through the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout his tenure with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, he retired at the rank of Sergeant and took part in various levels of administrative duties including budgeting, planning, man-power allocation, and other special assignments.

I am fortunate to have been granted the opportunity to serve the citizens of Pikeville. With my experience and education, it is my goal to help the Pikeville Police Department grow in a positive direction. Through training and leadership, my goal is to provide every citizen, a positive experience when interacting with a member of the Pikeville Police Department. I vow to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement while serving and protecting the citizens of Pikeville. Our goal is to remain a highly respected, professional Police Department that serves as a model for our area.

We will develop a strategic plan to address crime, with the modern practice of intelligence-led policing and community-oriented policing concepts. This will be done through strong community partnerships, with our faith-based organizations, along with our State and Federal agencies.

Sergeant Ricky Hodge

Sergeant – Richard Carl Hodge Jr

Sergeant Hodge began his career with the Pikeville Police Department in October 2017, as a Patrol Officer. He graduated from Stone Memorial High School (Crossville) in 2010 and then attended Tennessee Technology Center to learn the welding trade. Later in 2010, he was hired by the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Office and worked as a Corrections Officer, moving up to Corporal and then Sergeant. In October 2017, starting as a Patrol Officer, he attended Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) graduating in July 2018. From 2018 through 2021, he was promoted to Evidence Technician, then Narcotics Enforcement. Officer Hodge was then hired as the Lieutenant Deputy with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office where he completed Law Enforcement Instructor Development training. In October 2022, Officer Hodge came back home to the City of Pikeville with the rank of Sergeant. Since then he has completed multiple courses on narcotics, tactical policing, tactical first aid, along with TCCC and advanced building clearing.

I can describe Pikeville in one word, HOME. We have to protect our home by working together to rid our home from drugs and unnecessary evil.

Psalms 82:3-4 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Patrolman Tristan Jordan

Patrolman – Tristan Jordan

Patrolman Tristan Jordan has just recently started his Law Enforcement career with the Pikeville Police Department. Tristan graduated from Rhea County High School (Dayton) in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, he worked in the construction field and also as a welder. In 2021, Tristan was hired by the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department as a Corrections Officer. In March 2023, Tristan was hired by the Pikeville Police Department as a Patrolman. Tristan will start is Law Enforcement Training in July 2023, at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA).

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Pikeville and I will strive to live up to the expectations set forth by those before me. My pledge to the community is to be professional, courteous, and honorable in my commission as a Police Officer.