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JACKIE MELTON
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Jackie Melton is the incumbent Republican Sheriff of Meigs County and the only qualified candidate for sheriff on the August 6, 2026 ballot 23.
Background and education
Melton is a graduate of Meigs County High School, attended Cleveland State Community College, and is a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy 1.
Career and office history
Melton has served in Meigs County law enforcement since 1975. He worked six years as a deputy sheriff, was appointed Decatur police chief in 1981 and held that post for 29 years, and has served as Meigs County Sheriff since 2010 1. He is a certified training instructor with the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy, a qualified hazardous-materials first responder, and serves on the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force and child-protection teams 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Melton implemented the first full-time School Resource Officer at Meigs County High School in 1998 and served as a part-time SRO for Meigs Middle School from 1999 to 2010 1.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “MELTON”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“MELTON”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “MELTON”and, if needed, select the applicable position.