JOYCE MCCONNELL has made a life of serving her community. Serving in law enforcement for over three decades, McConnell has worked her way from humble beginnings as a corrections officer to a county sheriff in her home county. She wore the badge with pride and worked diligently to make the community she served a better and safer place.
While she may no longer serve in law enforcement, her work for the community continues. For McConnell, making her community a better place is work that is never done.
SMALL BEGINNINGS, BIG GROWTH
Starting on the ground floor, a young McConnell began her career in law enforcement as a corrections officer in the early 1990s. She was then promoted to road officer, making her the first female deputy in Lincoln County history, and soon after, she was promoted to investigator.
“I continued in that position for over 25 years,” said McConnell. “I was also made captain over investigations while still investigating cases that dealt with homicide, suicide, assault, and burglary. I specialized in investigating sexual assault and child abuse cases.”
While the cases never seemed to stop, McConnell took immense pride in her work. That pride would lead her to her next step up as chief deputy alongside her fellow officer, Jeff Bradford.
After a vote by the county commission, McConnell was named interim sheriff for a year. She retired from law enforcement in August 2024 after almost 32 years.
JUNIOR’S HOUSE
Helping people, especially children, was McConnell’s driving force during her career.
“I always tried to help anyone who needed help,” she said. “As an investigator of child abuse, helping children became very close to my heart. I worked diligently and tirelessly to help children, to get them out of abusive situations, and to be able to make those who abused children legally accountable.”
While working on child abuse cases as an investigator, McConnell began to see a real need for a child advocacy center. She said interviews with abused children were often disruptive and lacked a safe, supportive environment. Drawing from her experience with the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, she proposed creating a child advocacy center for Lincoln County. Those plans for a center would move forward during her time with Leadership Lincoln.
“Our class chose it as one of two projects that would be for the betterment of the community,” she explained. Each class member presented their proposed project. I told the class about a case I worked on. It was the story of Junior, a 6-year-old boy who was beaten and died as a result, and it’s why I thought our community would benefit from having a child advocacy center. I told them I wanted to name the center ‘Junior’s House’ in memory of this little boy. It was chosen as one of two community projects for the class. After the class was over, a few of the class members continued the work of getting the center up and going. It took three years with a mountain of people helping to get the doors open.”
McConnell added that Junior’s House offers various programs, including therapy, education, and support. It has expanded with satellite offices in Bedford and Marshall counties, helping hundreds of children annually. It remains one of McConnell’s proudest accomplishments. Also, as interim sheriff, she worked diligently to introduce educational and rehabilitative programs into the jail system. Partnering with Tennessee’s free tablet-based training, inmates accessed welding, electricity, and GED preparation courses, to name a few.
Her goal was to break the cycle of repeat incarceration by offering tools for a second chance. She also supported faith-based services, which led to many inmates being baptized and transformed. McConnell said these efforts didn’t offer any early release or special treatment for the inmates, but they did give the inmates hope, purpose, and the opportunity to reintegrate back into the community with dignity, making a lasting impact on both the individuals and the community.
BUILDING A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Retirement has only seen McConnell busy and continuing to serve her community.
“I work with the Tennessee Public Safety Network as an adjunct instructor, helping raise awareness about the trauma first responders face,” she explained. “We offer training on trauma and vicarious trauma. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it has on their ability to cope. I also work as a part-time contractor with Department Services as a team liaison, bridging gaps between law enforcement and child services. I provide resources and foster collaboration between law enforcement and the Department of Children’s Services. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure better outcomes for children by strengthening partnerships among those who serve and protect them.
McConnell said she considers serving her community her legacy, and as long as she is able, she will work to give those who need a voice the help and encouragement they deserve.
“Helping to advocate for others is just kind of the way that God has opened doors for me,” she said. “And that’s kind of been my pathway. I didn’t think about that when I started in 1992, but throughout the years, that’s the path I took, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done.” GN
