Shane Petty, retired Chief Park Ranger for the state of Tennessee, brings a unique law enforcement perspective to Between the Lines in Episode 17. As a horse-mounted ranger for 30 years, Petty recounts his involvement in numerous search and rescue operations and the challenges of being a K-9 handler in rough terrain.
He breaks down the 2004 five-day manhunt for murder suspect Parker Ray Elliott, explains why you should never go hiking alone, and overjoys Mike with stories of dogs, horses, spiders, and being upstaged by a cow.
Episode Guests
Shane Petty began his career with Tennessee State Parks in 1987 as a seasonal ranger and became a full-time ranger at Henry Horton State Park in 1989.
In 1993, he was named assistant chief for law enforcement for the state system and was promoted to chief ranger in 1997—a role he served in for 25 years.
He was the Emergency Services Coordinator for Tennessee State Parks where he was responsible for the safety and security for 30 million visitors annually. In this role, Petty oversaw all special operations divisions such as horse mounted, search and rescue, wildland fire response, high angle rope rescue, and the K-9 division.
Petty has earned many career accolades, including the 2004 Fraternal Order of Police Law Officer Achievement Award for his 5-day manhunt and capture of murder suspect Parker Ray Elliott in Maury County; the 2006 CSCC Alumni of the Year; in 2017 Gov. Bill Haslam recognized a Day of Honor for Petty’s lifetime achievements in search and rescue; and in 2019 First Farmers Merchant Bank honored him with its Achievement Award.
Guest Information
Website: Tennessee State Parks
Twitter: Shane Petty
LinkedIn: Shane Petty
Episode Resources
