Hardeman County appoints Russell Thigpen as ambulance director amid questions about hiring process

The Hardeman County Legislative Body appointed Russell Thigpen as the county’s ambulance director on March 17, 2026, following a recommendation from the county Ambulance Committee and a 15–1 roll-call vote.

The Ambulance Committee presented the recommendation to the commission, citing high overtime costs and management problems in the ambulance department and saying a new director was necessary to address those issues. Commissioner Bethany Miller told the commission that not all internal applicants had been interviewed but that committee members had reviewed all resumes and gave the candidate a positive recommendation.

Commissioner John Vickers moved to approve the committee’s recommendation; Commissioner Johnny Lanier seconded. Commissioner David Bell questioned why the Ambulance Committee did not conduct interviews of internal applicants before making the recommendation. The motion passed by roll call, 15 Aye, 1 Nay; the record does not list individual votes by name in the transcript.

The appointment was presented as a management action intended to reduce overtime costs and improve department oversight; the Ambulance Committee signaled the change would be part of addressing a previously reported overtime shortfall. The commission did not attach additional conditions to the appointment in the meeting minutes.

The commission will meet again on April 21, 2026, where related departmental financial impacts could be revisited.