Court Clerk J.J. Leatherwood is a lifelong resident of the City of Bartlett and a graduate of Bartlett High School, class of 1990. Leatherwood was hired by the Bartlett Police Department as a patrol officer in 1996. As a patrolman, Leatherwood worked as a field training officer.
In 2000, Leatherwood was promoted to Detective where he was assigned to general investigations, fugitive, fraud, seizures and narcotics. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012. During his time as a Lieutenant, he supervised the Traffic Unit and the Investigative Services Division, in both general investigations and narcotics.
He was promoted to Captain in 2018. As a Captain, Leatherwood spent time as the Commander of the Investigative Services Division, Patrol and Traffic Unit. While serving as the Traffic Commander, he led the unit to multiple state awards including the 2019 Tennessee Law Enforcement Challenge Director’s Award.
In 2021, he was appointed to Chief Inspector by Mayor A. Keith McDonald where he served as the Chief Inspector of the Investigative Services Division. Leatherwood holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bethel University.
In 2024, Leatherwood was appointed to the position of Bartlett City Court Clerk by Mayor David Parsons.