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Tennessee Departmetn of Safety and Homeland Security and Tennessee Highway Patrol held a special memorial service to honor State Troopers killed in the line of duty.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott led a special memorial service recently to honor Tennessee state troopers and other law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In observance of National Police Week, the THP’s annual Memorial Service was held at the department’s headquarters in Nashville.

Governor Bill Haslam announced on Monday, April 15 that Finance and Administration Commissioner Mark Emkes will be leaving the administration at the end of May to enjoy retirement and spend more time with his wife in her home country of Spain.

Tornadoes, high winds, ice, and flooding have caused widespread damage across the state over the past few weeks, and many people are quickly trying to recover and rebuild. Attorney General Bob Cooper and officials with Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs are urging consumers to use caution while trying to repair roofs, remove trees, and make repairs to guard against those who wish to profit off someone else’s misfortune.

“The past few weeks have been very trying for many people, but the need to stay vigilant is important in your search to get immediate help,” Cooper said. “Most Tennesseans are always quick to help their neighbors in times of trouble, but it is important to help provide storm victims with the best information and preventative measures they can get to avoid being victimized again.”

Problems that sometimes arise after a natural disaster include price gouging, in which a business unreasonably raises rates on essential goods and services during a State of Emergency or in response to a disaster, as well as fraud in the areas of home repair and debris removal.