Meet Dexter

A Life Dedicated to Service, Community, and Public Safety.

A man in a dark blue suit with a striped tie, wearing glasses, sitting in front of an American flag with a gray background.

a Message From Dexter

Hello, I’m Dexter Mines.

For more than three decades, I’ve devoted my life to serving others, as a police officer, a U.S. Army veteran, a pastor, a public safety leader, and a father. Every chapter of my journey has strengthened my belief that real leadership begins with humility, accountability, and a commitment to treating every person with dignity.

I’ve worn many uniforms and stepped into many rooms, from patrol shifts, to classrooms, to command staff tables, to community meetings where trust was fragile but possible. Through it all, my purpose has remained the same: to protect, to serve, and to help build a safer, stronger, more connected Montgomery County.

Running for Sheriff is not about a title. It is about continuing a lifetime of service and ensuring that our Sheriff’s Office reflects the values of the people it serves. I am ready to lead with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for our community.

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A city skyline with a bridge over a river, green park area in the foreground, and a mix of modern and historic buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Where It All Began

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where a local police officer named Joe Herman became one of the most important influences in my life. He didn’t just patrol our neighborhood. He engaged with us, played football and basketball, and kept his word. Seeing him treat our community with dignity inspired me to pursue a life of service.

From the age of eleven, I knew I wanted to become a police officer.

Service Timeline

  • I began my law enforcement career in Chattanooga, learning the foundations of professionalism, accountability, and community interaction.

  • As a career counselor and leader in the U.S. Army, I developed crisis management, leadership, and communication skills that have shaped every part of my career. I proudly served our country for 24.5 years.

  • I served as a Deputy Sheriff and member of the Emergency Services Unit (ESU/SWAT Team) on the midnight shift, protecting and engaging directly with our community.

  • I served as a Patrol Officer and School Resource Officer (SRO) at Greenbrier Middle School, where I worked to support students, reduce unnecessary citations, and resolve conflicts with care and fairness.

  • At the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA), I trained recruits in ethics, crisis response, communication, and professionalism, preparing them for a career of service.

  • I served as an Investigator and was later promoted to Assistant Director of the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, overseeing officer certification, training standards, and professional development statewide.

  • I served as a Senior Implementation Strategist, advising government agencies nationwide, including work that informed the White House Office of Personnel Management, on fair, effective, and community-centered public safety strategies.

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Community Service & Faith

My life has always been guided by faith and a belief that we are called to serve one another. As a pastor at Community Outreach Christian Ministries, I have walked with families through some of their toughest and most hopeful moments, praying with them, listening to them, and helping them navigate real-life challenges with dignity and compassion.

Service has also been a cornerstone of my work outside the pulpit. I am a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., where I have served as the Tennessee State Director for the Sigma Beta Club, our youth auxiliary program focused on mentoring, leadership development, and academic support for young men. I am also an active member of the NAACP, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Blue Star Families, organizations dedicated to advancing civil rights, strengthening communities, and supporting military families.

In Montgomery County, I have invested my time in mentoring young people, supporting local schools, and working alongside community partners to meet practical needs. Whether it is helping organize outreach efforts, showing up at community events, or simply being present when people need help, I believe leadership begins with showing up.

I am a 2025 graduate of Leadership Clarksville, an experience that deepened my understanding of our community’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities for collaborative growth.

These experiences have shaped the way I approach public safety. I do not just see statistics or calls for service. I see people, families, and neighborhoods. As Sheriff, I will bring that same faith-driven commitment to fairness, service, and community to every decision we make.

Professional training & certifications

A comprehensive foundation of law enforcement, legal, and public safety training.

• Criminal Procedure

• Crisis Management

• Risk Management

• Hostage Negotiation

• Ethical Standards & Procedures

• Tennessee Code Annotated

• Controlled Substances (Schedules I-V)

• Child Safety Seat Certification

• Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)

• Standardized Field Sobriety Instruction

• S.T.O.P.S. Instructor

• Visual & Auditory Cues

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

A Lifetime of Service.

A Vision for Our Future.

I am running for Sheriff because I believe in a Montgomery County where every resident feels safe, valued, and respected. A county where our deputies are supported, our community is engaged, and our Sheriff’s Office reflects the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

Together, we can push forward what is possible.

What Matters Most