City Manager James Mills announced today, Cookeville Police Chief, Randy Evans plans to retire. He has chosen January 31, 2025 as his retirement date.

Chief Evans has been employed with the City of Cookeville Police Department for over 41 years, beginning as a Patrol Officer in 1983. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1990, to Lieutenant in 1998, to Captain in 2007, to Major in 2010, and has served as Chief since 2013. In his 4 decades with the Department, Evans has been involved in all aspects of police work, from patrolling the City, serving as a departmental instructor, SWAT commander, shift sergeant, shift lieutenant, and uniform services commander.

As Chief of Police, he has led the department through enormous growth culminating with the construction of the highly anticipated Police Department Head Quarters in 2022. Mills said- “Randy has accomplished a great deal over the years and has been dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our citizens and his officers. He has been a tireless advocate for his department, its continued accreditation, and his personnel.”

Mills went on to say- “Chief Evans epitomizes integrity and professionalism. He has been a trusted advisor and valued colleague. I appreciate Randy’s service and wish him all the best at his retirement.”

Chief Evans said “I have had the distinct honor and privilege to serve my country and community throughout my entire adult life. I will forever cherish the opportunities that have been granted to me.”

Randy and his wife Monesa have 3 children, Krystal, Taylor and Blake and 4 grandchildren, Trippton, Teegan, Trigg and Kyleigh. He looks forward to spending more time with his family and playing golf.

Mr. Mills also made the announcement that Major Scott Winfree will be the next Chief of the Cookeville Police Department and will serve as Designee until Chief Evans’s retirement.

“It’s never an easy decision to fill a vacancy due to the loss of the institutional knowledge of the department and the City in general. We are fortunate to have an internal candidate with Scott’s experience and capabilities to replace Randy. Major Winfree has been with the Department since 1989 and has worked alongside Chief Evans as Major since 2017. He is keenly aware of the department’s operation and the responsibilities of the Chief of Police” said James Mills.

Winfree is a Putnam County native and is a graduate of TTU. He is also a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and the FBI National Academy. He and his wife Stephanie are life-long residents of Putnam County and have been married for 32 years. They have 3 sons and daughter in-laws: Kris and Dakota; Tyler and Kayla Beth; and Ben and Monica. In addition, they have been blessed with 3 grandchildren: Leia Jane, Crue, and Landry. Major Winfree said- “It is an honor to be appointed as the next Chief of Police. I look forward to working with the men and women of the Cookeville PD as we continue to provide public safety through professional police service.”