Greene County Sheriff Steve Burns was sworn in last month by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Director Mark Gwyn as president of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association.

Burns said he has been a member of the Association for 12 years, since every elected sheriff in the state automatically becomes a member, but he has been more active in recent years because he believes the group is very beneficial to law enforcement.

He has served as a state director and as vice president for the Eastern District.

"As a Sheriff, the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association is your connection to reality," Burns said. Being a sheriff is a big job, and the association helps sheriffs remember that they are "not in this alone."

Burns said he believes that, "to be an informed sheriff, you must be active in this association."

He added, "We have a great staff, a strong executive board and excellent participation and interest from the sheriffs. We truly appreciate the support of our associate members and need their continued support.

"With this support it is truly an honor to represent such a fine group of individuals and to be a part of this great association."

Sheriff Burns also represents all sheriffs in eastern Tennessee for Homeland Security.

He is also a former member of the board of trustees with the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. Sheriff Burns is a past chair of the Upper East Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Council.

Sheriff Burns began his law enforcement career in 1977. He was first elected Sheriff in 1998 and in August was elected to his fourth term.

Sheriff Burns said, "The primary responsibility of government is to protect and secure the people. The Tennessee Sheriffs' Association represents the Sheriffs and employees of all of Tennessee's 95 Counties."

Burns said the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association promotes professional law enforcement through its educational efforts and by monitoring activities by the state legislature that affect law enforcement and promoting good legislation.

The association also maintains a high level of ethical conduct by sheriffs and their employees, provides training for sheriffs, chiefs and jail administrators, and provides current information necessary to maintain efficient operations.

The Association also provides educational scholarships to students pursuing a career in law enforcement.