Jody Pickens, 26th Judicial District Attorney, was named Tennessee’s District Attorney of the Year by the Tennessee Constables Association, during the organization’s annual awards banquet, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Saturday.
“The award came as a complete surprise,” Pickens said, “I’m very honored that of the 31 elected DA’s in the state – they chose me.
“I’m very appreciative.”
In June, Pickens, was elected by fellow members of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC) to serve on the organization’s Executive Committee.
Gen. Pickens plays a pivotal role in guiding the overall administration of justice in Tennessee.
Gen. Pickens served as Assistant District Attorney General from 1996 to 2017, when he was appointed District Attorney General by Gov. Bill Haslam. He was elected the following year without opposition. He has served on a number of committees during his professional career, including the Justice and Professional Committee, Audit and Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Legislative Committee, and Technology Committee.
Gen. Pickens was also appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to the Board of Professional Responsibility and appointed to the Governor’s Council on Judicial Appointments by Gov. Bill Lee.
He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the 2019 Outstanding Lambuth Alumnus; the “Friend of the Family” Award from the American Family Association for prosecution of illegal adult entertainment in Jackson, Tenn.; and the “Champion of Victims’ Rights” award from The Trauma, Faith and Resilience Initiative of the Center for Just and Caring Communities at Union University.
Gen. Pickens has also been recognized for his outstanding service to the City Court of Jackson, Tenn., and by West Tennessee Legal Services for outstanding service to the victims of violent crime. Outside of work, Gen. Pickens is a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder. He and his wife, Linsey, reside in Jackson, Tenn., with their three young children: Stone, 8, Sarah Tucker, 6, and Elizabeth, 5.
Pickens had his three children with him at the banquet.
“My wife was out of town, Saturday, so I was playing Mr. Mom,” Pickens said, laughing, “I was happy to share that moment with them.”
(PHOTO: Left to right, president Tim Holt, board member James Sansom, Jody Pickens, 26th Judicial District Attorney General, Ricky Martin, constable and member of the board of directors of the Tennessee Constables Association, and executive director, Steve Mangram)
