Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Graduates Two New Motorists

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department added two new members to its motorcycle unit recently in Lieutenant Eric Hall and Deputy Margaret Motevalli.

Hall said the motor school is a great asset for Putnam County.

“The motor unit is an awesome unit to be able to utilize that tools of the motorcycles to patrol and do traffic. It is new to the Sheriff’s Department since Sheriff Eddie Farris took over,” Hall said. “And is headed up by Lt. Al Reyes, who is a long time motor instructor and supervisor. He taught the school. The school was a two-week grueling riding school.”

Hall said the school took place over two weeks with over 80 hours of work.

“[It takes] a lot of strength and a lot of just tenacity to be able to go through the long hours,” Hall said. “And to be able to do the school and be able to pick up an 847-pound motorcycle once you lay it over. Because you will, several times. ”

The school does not have a set requirement on how often the county must provide it, Hall said.

“The school is just an as needed basis because Sgt. Tim Davis and Lt. Al Reyes are both instructors so they can put on a school when needed,” Hall said. “They really put on a good class and emphasize not just things on safety.”

According to a press release, only two percent of law enforcement agencies have their own motor unit. Those with female motorists are even more scarce.

Hall said Putnam County has three other motorist divisions.

“The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Cookeville City, and Algood City police departments have motors, but we are the first, I believe, to have a female graduate. There are very few female motormen in the state of Tennessee and across the country,” Hall said. “Because trying to lift an 847-pound motorcycle when you drop it is very difficult. And it is very grueling to go through and use a lot of muscles that you don’t normally use.”

Currently, the Sheriff’s Department has five motorists. Putnam County Sheriff’s Department uses the motorcycle unit in many different situations, Hall said.

“They can be deployed for any call that we have,” Hall said. “And so they support everything from patrol to escorts to a lot of PR events when we have things like the Hog Rally.”

Hall said the motorcycle unit also allows for better interaction with citizens.