RC Sheriff: A Changing Of The Guard- Chief Deputy Head Retires
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – According to a release from the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Richard Head has announced his retirement. Captain Charlie Clark will step in as the new Chief Deputy.
Chief Deputy Head has served in Law Enforcement for 30 years. His career began with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 where he worked in the Division of Corrections and the Enforcement Division. In the Enforcement Division, Chief Head served as a Patrol Deputy, Narcotics Detective, Crisis Negotiator, Crime Suppression Unit Commander, and Narcotics Investigations Commander. In 2006, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant and then to Lieutenant in 2010 of the Criminal Investigations Division. Chief Head was promoted in 2014 where he served as Captain over the Enforcement Division until his appointment of Chief Deputy in 2018. Chief Deputy Head went to school at Springfield High School and proceeded to study at Volunteer State Community College.He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 205th Session, TLEEDS, Leadership Robertson County Class 2017, and several other executive management schools. He has extensive training and certifications in various law enforcement-related topics; which include anti-terrorism, homicide investigations, criminal investigations, patrol-level management, mid-level management, and executive-level management.
“Working for this Sheriff’s Office has been a great privilege. I have been able to work with a great team, and am proud of what we have built here. I have called Robertson County my home for my entire life. It has been an honor to serve this county and community. I have been on-call 24/7 for the past 30 years. I look forward to spending more time with my family, and enjoying my next adventure,” stated Chief Deputy Richard Head.
“It has truly been an honor to work and serve with Chief Deputy Richard Head. He has devoted 30 years of his life to law enforcement. That is a lot of years of experience and knowledge that we are losing, but Chief Deputy Head has worked hard to pass on that knowledge to our team. His experience, devotion, and passion have helped make this Sheriff’s Office, and our Sheriff’s Office team grow leaps and bounds throughout the years. There is not a division or position in this Sheriff’s Office that he hasn’t helped to develop. We thank you Chief Head for devoting your life to this Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Robertson County. We hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement. You have earned it,” stated Sheriff Michael Van Dyke.
Smokey Barn News interviewed Richard back in 2012 for our report on Drug Take Back Day. Below is that interview.
With the retirement of Chief Deputy Richard Head, Sheriff Michael Van Dyke has appointed Captain Charlie Clark as the new Chief Deputy of the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Deputy Clark has served in Law Enforcement for 22 years. He spent part of his career with the Springfield Police Department serving on Bike Patrol and as a Criminal Investigator with the Narcotics Unit. He began his career with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. During his career with the Sheriff’s Office, he has served in multiple positions and divisions including the Corrections Division as a Corrections Officer, Enforcement Division as a Patrol Deputy, and as a School Resource Officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2009 where he oversaw the School Resource Officers, DARE, and the Neighborhood Watch Program. In 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant of the School Resource Officers where he served there until his appointment to Captain in 2021 for the recently created Juvenile Service Division. As Captain and Juvenile Service Division Commander, he managed the School Resource Officer Division, the Juvenile Outreach Division, and multiple education and drug resistance programs.
Chief Deputy Clark is an Eagle Scout and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bethel University. He is the father of two adult children, and husband to a wonderfully supportive wife of 30 years, Jamie Clark. He is a graduate of Leadership Robertson County, Tennessee Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (TLEEDS), and the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center (UTLEIC). He has been involved with the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association, Tennessee Gang Investigators Association, Tennessee School Resource Officers Association, Tennessee DARE Officers Association, and the National School Resource Officers Association. Chief Clark is an instructor in DARE, SRO, Neighborhood Watch, Active Shooter, School Oriented Policing, and Firearms. He also has specialized training in basic and advanced Gang Investigations, multiple building security assessments, patrol-level management, mid-level management, and executive-level management.
“Chief Deputy Richard Head has been a great leader and mentor to myself and countless others throughout his vast career with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office. His service-above-self attitude has helped this Sheriff’s Office grow and become one of the best law enforcement agencies around. I am honored to take this next step in my career, and look forward to the new challenges and experiences with our award-winning team,” stated Chief Deputy Charlie Clark. 
“Chief Deputy Clark has held many roles with this Sheriff’s Office and is a staple within the Robertson County community. We are excited for this next phase within his career at the Sheriff’s Office, and stepping into the role of 2nd in command as Chief Deputy. Chief Clark is highly qualified to fulfill the extreme demands of this role and I am honored to appoint him to his new position,” stated Sheriff Michael Van Dyke.
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