SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee's first female Assistant Chief of Police now has a permanent presence outside the Smyrna Justice Center.

Sally Walls, who died on July 4, 2020, was a longtime member of the Smyrna community. She was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in 1979 and became the first woman to join the Smyrna Police Department the following year.

According to Smyrna officials, Walls was "instrumental in modernizing the Smyrna Police Department."

She did so by implementing a new records management system, launching a computer-aided dispatch and establishing hiring standards for public safety personnel.

During her time with the police force, Walls expanded the investigation unit to handle all types of crimes and even developed a structured field training program.

Throughout her tenure, Walls was able to work her way up the career ladder with the police department and became the first woman in Tennessee to hold the titled of Assistant Chief of Police.

In 1993, Walls was elected as the town's police and fire commissioner and joined the town's council the same year.

As police and fire commissioner, Walls led the Smyrna Fire Department in its transition from a volunteer operation to a paid, full-time unit. She also implemented a public safety officer program that cross-trained police officers and firefighters to better serve the public safety goals of the town. She also secured funding for two aerial fire trucks and eight additional fire apparatus vehicles as well as a grant for defibrillators for the department.

According to town officials, Walls "significantly enhanced the Smyrna Fire Department" by overseeing the renovation and reopening of Fire Station 2 as well as the construction of Fire Station 5.

As if those contributions weren't enough, Walls also served as a Town Council member for seven years, from 1993 through 2000.

Walls "balanced an exceptional career while raising a large family and serving as a mentor to many throughout the Town and community," her plaque reads.

Smyrna officials, family members of Walls and even state officials gathered Thursday morning, July 3, to officially unveil the commemorative plaque in Sally's honor. According to Town officials, the ceremony marked a "meaningful moment in our community's history, recognizing the lasting impact of a dedicated individual who helped shape Smyrna for the better."

Jennifer Brittain, Sally's niece, was one of the family members in attendance at the plaque unveiling ceremony. She told News 2 her aunt was always looking to make things better where she could.

"She built things," Brittain said. "She was always looking to make things better."

Above all, Brittain said, her aunt never bragged about any of the work she did. She treated everyone with respect and expected the best out of everyone she worked with; she also tried to elevate those she worked with where she could.

"A lot of the stuff she did she didn't talk about with us," Brittan said. "We learned afterwards. She didn't talk about herself; it was always what our officers did or how well they performed."

Walls' achievement of being the first woman to be an assistant chief of police also wasn't something she spoke about to her family, according to Brittain.

"We didn't know until later that she was the first female assistant chief. She'd done it before we found out about it," she told News 2.

While Brittain said her aunt might have been slightly embarrassed by the attention, the honor is also fully deserved.

"She was one of those behind-the-scenes silent heroes. She wanted others to shine," Brittain said.

According to Brittain, Walls had multiple obstacles standing in the way of her law enforcement career, including a "late start," an established family, and more, but she persevered and was able to break the glass ceiling for women in law enforcement.

Overall, Brittain said the plaque is a touching tribute to her aunt and her legacy in Smyrna.

The plaque can be seen outside the entrance to the Smyrna Justice Center on Enon Springs Road.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/smyrna-plaque-honors-1st-female-tn-asst-chief-of-police/