Natalie Neysa Alund,Katie Nixon,Nicole Young|Nashville Tennessean
Savanna Puckettalways wanted to work in law enforcement.
The 22-year-old woman's wish came true in 2017 when the Robertson County Sheriff's Office hired her as a corrections officer.
With a passionfor helping others and a career-driven mind, she quickly moved up inrank and by 2020, her dreamcame true when she was promoted to patrol deputy.
Her young life of service came to a tragic end Sunday, when someone shot her and set her Springfield home on fire,the sheriff's office reported.
“I can’t even think of words to express how much pain I’m in,” her cousin, Cindy Hawkins of Bowling Green, told The Tennessean Monday. “She wasa genuine soul and a brilliant light in our dark world.”
Authorities learned of her death afterPuckett failed to show up for her shift that day. According to the sheriff's office, another deputy went to check on her about5 p.m. and found herhome onthe 5100 block of Highway 41engulfed in flames. The deputy tried, but could not make it inside. Once firefighters arrived, they found Puckett dead inside.
As of Monday, her cause and manner of death had notbeen determined.
The cause and origin of the firealso remained under investigation.
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On Monday afternoon, officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation— the agency investigating the fire and Puckett's death — arrested a man wanted in connection withher death after anhours long standoff in Smyrna that morning.
James Jackson Conn, 27,is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated arson in Puckett's slaying. Conn, who lives in Smyrna, was arrested at his home and booked into the RobertsonCounty Jail late Monday afternoon where he was being held without bond.
According to the TBI, Puckett and Conn were acquaintances.
On Monday, Robertson County Sheriff Michael Van Dyke askedfor prayers for the department and Puckett's loved ones. Meanwhile, her grieving family struggled to understand what led up to her death,
"This is a tragedy that we are processing minute by minute," Van Dyke said.
Her cousin said her familyis heartbroken and asked for prayers.
“Savanna was very loved," Hawkins said. "She loved being an officer and talked about her love for her brothers and sisters in law enforcement. We are all devastated by her sudden violent end."
'A mother hen to us all'
After being hired by the sheriff's officeas a corrections officer, Puckettwas promoted to booking officer in the detention facility in November 2018. She was promoted to patrol deputy in May 2020, andgraduated from Walter State Law Enforcement Academy that September.
"She was one of the most driven young people I’ve ever met," her cousin said.
She was kind.
She was honorable.
She loved her family.
"She had a passion for her nieces and nephews and her little cousin," Hawkins said.
Shealways showed up to work early with a smile on her face.
"We are all heartbroken and working to lay Deputy Puckett to rest,"Robertson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jessica Drake said. "In the fouryears that Savanna was with the sheriff’s office, she touched the lives of everyone."
She was hardworking and cared deeply for each person in her department.
"She was a mother hen to us all and frequently cooked meals and baked goodies for her shift," Drake said."She was tough, courageous, kind, compassionateand had an infectious personality that will always be remembered."
Her death sparked condolences across Tennessee and beyond Monday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow members of the [sheriff's department] as they mourn the death," Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett tweeted.
"My prayers are with Deputy Savanna Puckett’s family and the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office in the wake of this tragedy," Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweeted. "Tennesseans are grateful for Deputy Puckett’s service to her community."
'It hurts my heart'
On Monday, Puckett's body was escorted fromthe Medical Examiner's Office in Nashvilleto Springfield Memorial Gardens in Robertson County.
Dozens of cars lined the highway leading to the funeral home and several people stoodto watch the procession and pay their respects. Groups of students at Greenbrier Middle Schoolalso stood alongthe road before the procession came through.
Debbie Mitchell, of Greenbrier, said her sons attended Greenbrier High School.
Puckett is a 2017 graduate of Springfield High School, according to Robertson County Schools spokespersonJim Bellis.
Mitchell's sonsknew Puckett from the localZaxby's restaurant, where all three worked as teenagers, she said.
“Greenbrier and Springfield are so connected, and last night, they (her sons) were just in shock, and they were just talking about what a really nice person she was," Mitchell said.
“That’s what made us come down here and pay our respects. Our community is close-knit and our community, whether it’s White House or Greenbrier or Springfield or Coopertown, we all know each other, and it hurts my heart that this kind of a thing could happen to such a young person.”
Sabrina Pardue said she heard about the procession on social media and knew she had to go.
“I just spoke to a friend of mine on the phone this morning. Her daughter and (Savanna) went to school together, and we were all just in shock.Everybody’s calling each other because it’s just so close.”
Mitchell and Pardue were holding decorations that includedred, white and blue streamers. Other people on the roadside were holding small American flags. Some were wiping away tears.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
