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Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-20-120 (2026)

Sheriff's departments - Funding - Salaries - Employees

✓ current as of May 2026
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Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, county governing bodies shall fund the operations of the county sheriff's department. The sheriff may appoint such personnel as may be provided for in the budget adopted for such department. No county governing body shall adopt a budget absent the consent of the sheriff, which reduces below current levels the salaries and number of employees in the sheriff's department. In the event a county governing body fails to budget any salary expenditure which is a necessity for the discharge of the statutorily mandated duties of the sheriff, the sheriff may seek a writ of mandamus to compel such appropriation.

Acts 1986, ch. 919, § 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 2005–2025 · leading case: Dorning v. Bailey, 223 S.W.3d 269 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
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Dorning v. Bailey, 223 S.W.3d 269 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 6× “” 8 Tenn.Code Ann. § 8-20-120. The Sheriff has exercised his right under Tenn.”
Jim Hammond, Sheriff of Hamilton Cnty. v. Chris Harvey, 410 S.W.3d 306 (Tenn. 2013). · cites it 4× “Under Tenn.Code Ann. § 8-20-120 (2011), the Hamilton County Commission, not the Board, determines the budget for the Sheriffs Office.”
William Dorning, Sheriff of Lawrence Cnty., Tennessee v. Ametra Bailey, Cnty. Mayor of Lawrence Cnty., Tennessee (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 26× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-20-120 (2002). We have previously interpreted this provision to mean that, should a court determine it necessary for the county legislative body to appropriate additional funds for the sheriff’s department and the legislative body refuses, the sheriff may…”
David Ramey, Former Perry Cnty. Sheriff v. Perry Cnty., Tennessee (Tenn. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “” 5 Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-20-120 states: Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, county legislative bodies shall fund the operation of the county sheriff’s department.”
Slaybaugh v. Rutherford Cnty., Tennessee (M.D. Tenn. 2023). “§ 8-20-120, and further provides that any person incurring an injury “resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by the sheriff may bring suit against the county in which the sheriff serves,” id. § 8-8- 302(a) (emphasis added).”
Collins v. S. Health Partners (M.D. Tenn. 2023). “§ 8-8- 302(a) (emphasis added). The DSCO is listed on Dickson County’s website as a division within the county.”
Thompson v. Nurse Kim (M.D. Tenn. 2024). “§ 8-20-120, and further provides that any person incurring an injury “resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by the sheriff may bring suit against the county in which the sheriff serves,” id.”
King v. Batts (M.D. Tenn. 2024). “§ 8-20-120, and further provides that any person incurring an injury “resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by the sheriff may bring suit against the county in which the sheriff serves,” id.”
Wall v. Dickson Cnty. Jail (M.D. Tenn. 2025). “§ 8-20-120, and further provides that any person incurring an injury “resulting from any act or failure to act on the part of any deputy appointed by the sheriff may bring suit against the county in which the sheriff serves,” id. § 8-8- 302(a) (emphasis added).”
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