← Back to Putnam County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for Sheriff
general - Partisan - Sheriff
About this office
The sheriff is the county's chief law-enforcement officer. The office operates the county jail, provides court security, serves civil process and executes warrants, and provides patrol and investigation — a large operational command with a substantial budget.
Term length: 4 years.
This role calls for
- Organizational leadership of a sheriff's office spanning patrol, investigations, court services, and the county jail.
- Oversight of the county jail, including intake, inmate health, and release procedures.
- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law, court process, and constitutional search-and-seizure standards.
- Ability to develop and oversee the office's operating budget with public accountability.
- Coordination with municipal police departments and neighboring-county and state agencies.
- A documented law-enforcement or public-safety background.
Derived from the office's statutory duties and operational reality. Candidate summaries below map each candidate's documented experience to these requirements.
Campaigns
Eddie Farris's biography demonstrates relevant experience for sheriff through over twenty-five years in law enforcement, including service as a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent and leadership roles within the Putnam County Sheriff's Office since 2014. His tenure includes earning state accreditation for the office and serving as president of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in developing operating budgets or coordinating with municipal police departments.
Darrin Stout's biography shows twenty-eight years with the Cookeville Police Department, including captain-level leadership over administrative services, budgeting, internal investigations, and accreditation compliance. His background includes command of patrol and training roles in firearms and active-shooter response, demonstrating organizational oversight relevant to sheriff duties. Bio does not indicate experience managing a county jail or direct coordination with neighboring-county agencies.
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