Knox commissioners name Thrash new sheriff

In a special meeting, Knox County commissioners named Ryan Thrash as the county’s new sheriff as of June 30, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Thrash has served as chief deputy, or second in command, the last two years under the late sheriff Chris Mendoza, who died June 23 after battling cancer.

Thrash is not new to the county or to law enforcement, but we asked a few questions to get to know him better as he take…