Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Adam Cothron was shot during a traffic stop, by a subject using a Tennessee EZ Tag. The tag on the vehicle did not have a record in NCIC and after the shooting, a photograph was sent to Agent Belasic, whereupon it was immediately recognized as counterfeit. Due to law enforcement being the first to contact vehicles using EZ Tags, training classes were scheduled to help law enforcement identify possible dangerous situations and prevent another situation like Trooper Cothron’s.
Trainer: Matt Hudson
Special Agent- Special Investigations- Anti-Theft Unit
Tennessee Department of Revenue
Speaker bio: Matt Hudson has over 35 years in Law Enforcement, working for the Bristol Virginia Police Department and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Law Enforcement Division. During this time, Matt’s assignments included patrol, drug interdiction, and K-9 officer. In addition, he served as a narcotics detective, general investigations detective, and hostage negotiator along with retiring from his position as Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Virginia DMV in 2021. He then became a general instructor and Alert Active shooter instructor. He has participated in many criminal justice classes throughout his career to include auto theft, crime scene, homicide, and fraudulent documents investigations training. Since his retirement, he has served as a Special Agent with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Special Investigations Anti-Theft Unit.
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