Brentwood Home Page staff reports
Over the past few weeks, Brentwood Home Page has solicited comments from voices around the city and beyond about retiring Police Chief Ricky Watson. Here's what some of them had to say. We invite our readers to share their own thoughts in our comments section.

Vice Mayor Rod Freeman:
What I will always remember about Ricky is working with him on the "Chain Gang" at Brentwood High football games while our sons played for Brentwood.  While I knew Ricky through Rotary and his role as Police Chief, I saw him being a great dad and supporting his son's participation on the Bruin's football team.  I appreciate Ricky's service to our community as Police Chief, but I applaud him for being a supportive and loving dad!  Way to go Ricky!

Sergeant Charles J. Warner,
Franklin Police Public Affairs:
From my perspective, Chief Watson has been as much of a family friend as he has a leader. When (then Brentwood Police Officer) Stephanie (Bellis) and I started dating, we kept things pretty private because of our positions. Once word got out though, he questioned me on "my intentions" with Stephanie. I felt like I was talking to her dad, not her Chief. Funny Story: He was looking over Stephanie's shoulder one day when she was sending me a message. In that message, she called me "Angel Boy." Well Ricky got a kick out of that, but confused a word -- and started calling me his own version of that name, publicly! Thankfully it didn't stick, for long. Once convinced of the sincerity of my heart and my "intentions with his girl," the way that Ricky Watson welcomed me into the Brentwood PD family is something I'll always appreciate, and never forget. What a Chief, what a man, what a friend. Congratulations on your retirement, Chief. Sincerely, Angel Baby.

Mayor Paul Webb:
Ricky will be known for working for his officers.  He will be known for his efforts on his own to support the troops when they have been deployed.  We had lots of volunteers but Chief Watson became the spokesman and the "go to" person for these efforts.

Ricky put into place a plan for succession at the police department where young men and women are given the opportunities to succeed and thus get promoted.  This makes for a well-run department and a valuable asset to our community.  Not every police department has a working system to develop police officers like Brentwood has.

Ricky is tough when it is needed, funny when a laugh is good and compassionate all the time.

Brentwood Fire Chief Brian Goss:
The Brentwood Police Department is second to none.  Many “small town” police departments have a bad reputation.  Brentwood is different.  I would put our officers against any department in the nation, big or small.  From traffic enforcement to the detective bureau, they are all professionals in every way.  If you commit a crime in Brentwood, you WILL get caught.  

I know he’s not afraid of the microphone!

City Commissioner Anne Dunn:
I have worked with Chief Watson for 21 years. I believe his leadership in working with other police departments,  especially those strapped for cash, has created a lot of good will for the city of Brentwood throughout our state.  Ricky knew of instances where some cities had only one police car or no video equipment, etc. and made arrangements for us to donate those items which we absolutely could no longer use. This type of thing is long remembered when we need their cooperation on issues.

Most people see a chief of police as a “tough” fellow and Ricky is all that but also there is a teddy bear inside.  I have seen him drop a tear or two when he is talking about officers who have experienced a difficult event.  We all know how hard he has worked for the troops we adopted.  I credit him singlehandedly for organizing the big going away event and the homecoming parade.  He simply cannot say no if someone asks him to help a soldier.  

Ricky wants no part of ladies’ lunch fare.  I learned this early on at one of our all day budget workshops where food is brought in.  He said he didn’t want any of that chicken salad and fruit lunch.  He wanted a manly meal.  We have accommodated him ever since.

His legacy is one of honesty, respect from within and outside the department, and his high bar for  training excellent officers and leaving the leadership reins in such good hands.

BPD Captain Tommy Walsh:
From the day I was hired in 1988 until his final week as Chief of Police, Chief Watson has been a boss, a leader and a friend. He has always been someone who did his best each and every day to take care of the employees of the Police Department. Since taking over as Chief in 2000 he has built on the solid foundation laid by retired Chief Howard Buttrey. Our department has an excellent reputation throughout the state, due in large part to his vision and leadership.

Shortly after I was injured in the shooting incident on May 6, 2002 and for an extended period afterward, Chief Watson provided an incredible amount of support to me and my family. There was never a time that he failed to deliver anything that was needed. I am forever grateful to him for his support during my recovery and his leadership of our department after a critical incident unlike anything we had dealt with before.

Chief Watson has overseen our department as it evolved from a small town police department into a professional law enforcement agency. I wish him the very best in his retirement and thank him both personally and professionally for his service.

Andrea Lawrence, president
Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, Inc.:
Chief, thank you for your patriotism and support of our military.  In particular, thank you for the efforts to bring our wounded soldiers home ‘in style’ with a full community ‘Welcome Home!’  Adding to that, your leadership in getting homes retrofitted so that their visits can be easier and more comfortable for all is very commendable.  You have made this community aware of the sacrifices being made by our soldiers and their families in fighting for this country.  Hoorah!