Tennessee State Trooper Tara Lee has made a significant impact since joining the Capitol Protection Unit in 2016. Her role includes working various positions, notably at the Tennessee Supreme Court, where she has become a valued member of the court's community.
Trooper Lee's responsibilities involve overseeing security and interacting with everyone who enters the court. She said, “I try to develop a relationship with them,” emphasizing the importance of her role in maintaining order. Her job sometimes involves managing individuals who are upset, but she stated, “I haven’t had to physically arrest anyone or put my hands on anyone, so I think I’ve been doing pretty good for this long.”
When the court is in session, Trooper Lee’s duties change slightly, but she remains unfazed. She said, “As far as screening, I’m doing a lot more screening... it's just as smooth as it wants to be.”
Her close relationship with her colleagues is mutual. MaryBeth Lindsey, Chief Deputy Clerk, said, “She is very special to everyone in this building.” Trooper Lee experienced this support firsthand in 2023 when diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. “They were there, all of them,” she said of her Supreme Court family, noting their support through her treatment.
The experience changed her perspective on life and her work. Trooper Lee explained, “Once you’re flashed with your mortality, ... stress kills. So, I found myself after becoming cancer-free saying, ‘I don’t want any of that stuff boiling up or manifesting in my body.’” Having put her cancer treatment and “road dog” days behind her, Trooper Lee expresses gratitude for her current role. Despite offers to work at the Supreme Court full-time, she continues to balance her duties between the Supreme Court and the State Capitol.