Executive Summary
- Jackson Police officers received certificates of appreciation from FBI Director Kash Patel.
- The awards recognized the department’s role in the capture of fugitive Austin Drummond in August 2025.
- Drummond faces first-degree murder charges for the deaths of four family members in Lake County.
- The suspect is scheduled to appear in court in March.
JACKSON, Tenn. – Officers from the Jackson Police Department were formally recognized by FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday for their critical assistance in the capture of accused mass murderer Austin Drummond. The commendation follows a multi-agency operation that concluded with Drummond’s arrest in August 2025.
According to a statement released by the FBI’s Nashville field office, the certificates of appreciation were presented to the officers by Nashville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Baker and SWAT Supervisory Special Agent Chris Smith. The federal agency highlighted the department’s "tremendous work" during the manhunt, which spanned several days and involved resources from local, state, and federal levels.
Austin Drummond was apprehended in Jackson, Tennessee, on August 5, 2025, one week after authorities allege he committed a quadruple homicide in Lake County. Investigators state that Drummond is responsible for the deaths of four family members: James Wilson, Adrianna Williams, Braydon Williams, and Courtney Rose. Following his capture, he was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder.
Court records indicate that Drummond is scheduled to return to court in March for further proceedings regarding the capital murder charges. It is important to note that all individuals, including Austin Drummond, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Interagency Operational Analysis
The recognition of the Jackson Police Department underscores the increasing reliance on federal-local partnerships to resolve high-profile violent crimes. While federal agencies like the FBI provide specialized resources and jurisdictional reach, local departments often supply the critical on-the-ground intelligence required to locate fugitives within their communities. This successful apprehension illustrates the procedural necessity of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI integrating directly with municipal tactical units to mitigate public safety threats posed by armed suspects crossing county lines.
