Jerrita Patterson, a 22-year news veteran who spent the last seven years with WREG News Channel 3, is leaving the TV news industry to join the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, the sheriff's office said in a press release.
Patterson has spent nearly a decade in Memphis' journalism world, first coming to the city in 2015 to work for FOX13 before going on to work at WREG. She was most recently a morning anchor and breaking news reporter for WREG.
Patterson will be one of the sheriff's office's public information officers under new Sheriff Anthony Buckner.
"I believe the public deserves an agency that communicates openly, honestly and consistently with the community we serve," Buckner said in a press release. "Jerrita understands the importance of telling
our story, keeping the public informed, and making sure the voice of the sheriff's office is represented with accuracy and integrity. I am excited to have her join our team, and I look forward to the experience and perspective she will bring as we continue building a stronger relationship between this office and the people of Shelby County."
Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Patterson grew up in Nashville. She graduated from Hampton University and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and its Memphis chapter. She is also co-chair of the nonprofit Dynamic Young Minorities of Nashville.
She began her news career in Nashville as an associate producer, web editor and weekend producer for WKRN-TV. She moved to Butte, Montana two years later and worked as a reporter and anchor at KXLF/KBZK-TV for another two years.
She also worked in news in Columbia, South Carolina, Florence, Alabama, and Richmond, Virginia before coming to Memphis. While in Virginia, she earned two Emmy Awards.
Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Morning news anchor leaving WREG to join Shelby County Sheriff's Office
