Rutherford County, TN - A Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputy who helped recover more than $200,000 worth of expensive stolen trucks earned the Deputy of the Year Award from the Exchange Club of Rutherford County.

Patrol Deputy Berry Singleton received the award Wednesday from the Exchange Club. Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh commended Singleton. “Deputy Singleton’s dedication to following the leads led to the recovery of the stolen trucks for the victims,” Fitzhugh said. “We appreciate his commitment.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Nick Coble, who nominated Singleton, said the deputy answered a call June 17 about an altered vehicle identification number on an expensive truck. Criminals use the altered VIN to sell stolen vehicles. During his investigation, Singleton found three different vehicles shared the same VIN number, the original truck in Texas, one in Tennessee and one in California. He worked with the department of motor vehicles and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “The truck in California and the truck in Tennessee were recovered as stolen due to them being part of fraudulent re-VIN operations throughout our country,” Coble said.

Murfreesboro Police asked Singleton to assist with a search warrant about another altered VIN in September. Singleton verified the VIN on a 2024 GMC Denali 2500 was altered.

“Also during his investigations, Deputy Singleton has aided in locating four high-end stolen trucks valued at $205,000,” Coble said. “Deputy Singleton’s attention to detail, willingness to learn and his interest in stolen vehicles has made him an asset to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Rutherford County.”

Singleton’s networking skills prompted the NICB to offer a class in November in Rutherford County to teach other deputies how to find VIN alterations and to locate other altered documents.

The Exchange Club of Rutherford County is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. The Exchange Club annually recognizes law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics.

Photo Above This Article: Treasurer Melissa Wright of the Exchange Club of Rutherford County presented the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year to Deputy Berry Singleton for his efforts at recovering $200,000 worth of stolen cars.