At Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall announced Murphy Scott as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Volunteer of the Year. Scott, who has dedicated his life to service, is one of hundreds of volunteers coming through the DCSO doors annually. According to Hall, his continued commitment for the past 21 years made him an easy choice.
“As an agency, we would not be successful in what we do without our volunteers. Knowing these individuals come into the jail on their own time and without being paid means everything to our inmate population,” Hall said. “Mr. Scott has done this faithfully for more than two decades—even commuting from Clarksville for about six years so he could minister to our inmates. We are truly thankful for his service and wanted to make sure he knows how much he is appreciated by recognizing him in a formal way.”
Scott graduated high school in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and served 22 years. He moved to Nashville in 2001, but before that, received his ordination in Clarksville. Scott has held several positions within various churches as an associate minister and, currently, serves as an Elder at Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Joseph W. Walker.
After retiring from the Army, he decided to continue his journey with prison ministry at the DCSO. Seeing a need years ago, and with the assistance of his church, Scott made a commitment to provide donations of Bibles and reading glasses to inmates. Thousands of inmates have benefited from his generosity.
Additionally, he encourages dialogue with inmates, discussing with them how to change their behavior, think before they act, and how to be better men and fathers. By taking the time to listen, talk to, and mentor the maximum-security inmates, he captured the attention of other inmates, and his weekly services grew in numbers. He continues those services today.
Scott is married to his wife Joy of 13 years, and they have seven children.
