In Tennessee, a “Blue Alert” means there is an armed, dangerous suspect at large after a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or has gone missing in the line of duty, and the public’s help is needed to find them.

What does a Blue Alert mean in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the Blue Alert system is run by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) under state law (Tennessee Code § 38-6-122). Its purpose is to rapidly spread information statewide to help:

  • Catch violent criminals who kill or seriously injure a law enforcement officer.
  • Locate a missing law enforcement officer when there’s concern for their safety or suspected foul play.

When a Blue Alert goes out, it usually means:

  • A serious attack on an officer has occurred, or an officer is missing.
  • The suspect has not been caught and is considered an immediate threat to the public and to other officers.
  • Authorities have enough information to share (for example, a suspect name, description, or vehicle) so the public can help find them.

You’ll often see Blue Alert details on highway message signs, TV, social media, and sometimes as loud notifications on your phone, similar to AMBER Alerts.

When can Tennessee issue a Blue Alert?

TBI has specific criteria that all must be met before a Blue Alert is activated:

  1. A sworn law enforcement officer is:
    • Killed,
    • Has life-threatening injuries, or
    • Is missing in the line of duty under circumstances that raise concern for their safety.
  2. The suspect poses an imminent threat to public safety and law enforcement.
  3. There is enough identifying information (offender and/or vehicle description) to broadcast statewide to the public and 911 centers.

Only when all of these conditions are satisfied will TBI issue a Blue Alert.

How does a Blue Alert reach you?

Once TBI decides a Blue Alert is warranted, the agency pushes details out very quickly using multiple channels:

  • TBI website and social media.
  • E-mails to law enforcement agencies and media across the state.
  • Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Smartway/overhead highway signs in the affected region.
  • Cell phone emergency alerts, using the same general infrastructure used for AMBER Alerts.

These alerts may wake people up, and there has been public frustration in the past when multiple alerts or late-night alerts went out during manhunts, which TBI has publicly acknowledged and said they’re working to improve.

Why is it important — and what should you do?

A Blue Alert is not just an informational notice; it signals a current, serious threat involving someone suspected of attacking law enforcement.

If you receive a Blue Alert in Tennessee:

  1. Read the details carefully (suspect name, description, vehicle, last known area).
  1. Do not approach or confront the suspect yourself — they are considered dangerous.
  1. If you see the person or vehicle described, call 911 or the number listed in the alert immediately.
  1. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially near the area mentioned in the alert.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.