Franklin Police Leader Celebrates 30-year Career

After 30 years of service to the community, Franklin Police Lieutenant Richard Verbosky is retiring. Lt. Verbosky, who began his career in1984, recalled the Franklin Police Station occupying the first floor of a two-story house on Main Street near 5-Points.

“The Police Department was downstairs and the Fire Department was upstairs in this house,” Verbosky said. “We used a card table in a small room for our briefings. It’s surreal to end my career in the beautiful, state-of-the-art Headquarters that we’re in today.”

Lt. Verbosky, an avid equestrian, graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1968. Prior to joining the Franklin Police Department, he served in the United States Army as a Tank Commander in the Vietnam Era. In addition to Vietnam, he has served in the United States and Germany.

Lt. Verbosky’s assignments prior to being promoted to Lieutenant in 1996 include Patrol, SWAT, Field Training Officer, Field Training Officer Instructor and Sergeant, and Sergeant over the Police Auxiliary. Today, Lt. Verbosky oversees the Patrol Division’s Bravo Shift (6am-4pm), SWAT, the K9, Traffic, and Flex Units, the Dive Team, and Mounted Patrol. Since re-introducing horseback patrol by Franklin Police in 2009, Lt. Verbosky has organized two mounted patrol training classes that drew mounted police officers from across the U.S. to Franklin. Lt. Verbosky is a member of the local chapters of the VFW and Elks.

“What we’ve accomplished, together through the years, is pretty vast,” Lt. Verbosky said. “My ties to the community are strong, and everlasting. People in Franklin and Williamson County have been so supportive of me – both professionally and personally. I will always be grateful for that, and I’ll continue to seek opportunities to pay all of that support forward. On a personal note, I have been so supported by my wife, Donna, for the past 26 years that we’ve been married – all in a profession that’s been extremely demanding of my time and energy. I’m thankful for the sacrifices that she has made to allow me to serve this community. Now, I look forward to returning that loyalty by serving only her.”

Chief Deborah Faulkner called Lt. Verbosky a shining example of what both leadership and public service look like. “Though we have had only a short time together as colleagues – as a Franklin resident, I have watched and smiled at Lt. Verbosky’s community contributions for years. His service here is greatly appreciated and valued!”

Lt. Verbosky was be honored at a reception at Franklin Police Headquarters on Friday.