Lincoln County’s first female sheriff hopes to remain in that role

LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT) — Joyce McConnell is the sheriff of her hometown in Lincoln County.

McConnell is the first female county appointment in its history.

“Since I have been in law enforcement, I have primarily looked at myself as an officer and I just happen to be a female,” said McConnell.

That’s the way that McConnell has viewed her entire career in service.

First, as a soldier fighting for her country in Saudi Arabia before a career as a corrections officer to being promoted to patrol officer in 1993, making her the first woman deputy certified by the commission in Lincoln County’s history.

“I had originally planned on going to law school, but I got my foot in the door here and just kind of loved the work of the people and of the county and so I’m here,” McConnell explained.

In 1995 McConnell was promoted as an investigator working on cases of child abuse.

McConnell spent the next 25 years working to get justice for victims of abuse. It inspired her to establish a child advocacy center for Fayetteville Lincoln County.

“I took every case that I had, and I took it personally,” McConnell said.

When former sheriff Murray Blackwelder announced his retirement a year ago the Lincoln County Commission unanimously appointed McConnel as the first ever female sheriff in its history.

That appointment will only last until the local election in August unless she wins that election to remain as sheriff.

“That makes me really realize what a privilege it is for me to have this opportunity,” said McConnell.

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