GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The Gatlinburg Police Department’s newly redesigned patrol cruiser has been named the Overall Winner of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s (THSO) 2026 Best-Looking Cruiser Award following an online public vote.
Gatlinburg received the most public support among participating law enforcement agencies across Tennessee, earning the statewide overall honor after first taking top honors in the award’s 46–75 Officers Category. Unlike other Law Enforcement Challenge categories, which recognize agencies for traffic safety activities and initiatives, the Best-Looking Cruiser Award was determined by online public voting.
“This is a tremendous honor for the Gatlinburg Police Department, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to support us and vote for our cruiser,” Gatlinburg Police Chief Ronnie Barrett said. “When we introduced this design last year, our goal was to create something that was professional and highly visible while also being unmistakably Gatlinburg. To see that design receive this kind of response from the public and be voted the best-looking cruiser in Tennessee is something our entire department can take pride in.”
The Gatlinburg Police Department unveiled its new patrol vehicle graphics in October 2025. The graphics were designed by Patrol Officer Dylan Bowen, who developed the concept to give the Department’s cruisers a distinctive appearance that represents both the Gatlinburg Police Department and the community its officers serve. The design incorporates imagery closely associated with Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, including a mountain skyline and black bear silhouette. Those elements are paired with prominent “Gatlinburg Police” lettering to create a design that is distinctly Gatlinburg while maintaining the visibility and professional appearance expected of a modern law enforcement vehicle.
The new graphics are being phased into the Department’s fleet as patrol vehicles are replaced and updated.
“This recognition is a great source of pride not only for the Gatlinburg Police Department, but for the entire City of Gatlinburg,” City Manager Greg Patterson said. “The Police Department represents this community every day, and these cruisers have become another reflection of the pride our employees take in serving Gatlinburg. Having the public select it for this statewide honor makes the recognition even more special.”
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office announced the award recipients last week in conjunction with the 38th Annual Tennessee Lifesavers Conference in Nashville.
The THSO is a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and works with law enforcement agencies and other partners throughout Tennessee to promote traffic safety and reduce roadway crashes and fatalities.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and X. Individuals can also keep up with the latest from the City of Gatlinburg by downloading the City’s Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for “City of Gatlinburg”
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