In Hawkins County, Tennessee, the Emergency Communications team is on duty year-round, ready to respond to 911 calls and ensure the safety of the community. However, Christmas Eve brings a unique twist to their routine.

On this special night, their focus shifts to tracking a very special visitor: Santa Claus. This annual event, known as Operation Santa Claus, has been a beloved tradition for nearly three decades.

Leading the charge is Cheyenne Murrell, who now shares the responsibility with her co-host, Tailynn Mallory.

“This was a big part of my childhood,” Murrell reminisced. “We would always tune into the scanner on Christmas Eve. Once we heard Santa was in town, it was time to head to bed. It’s wonderful to keep this tradition alive.”

“I grew up listening to this,” Murrell said. “When I was little, that was a Christmas tradition. We always turned on the scanner, and we were ready to go to bed as soon as we knew Santa was in our community. It’s nice to carry on the tradition.”

Other departments aided Murrell and Mallory with guiding Santa Claus, updating on any holiday hijinks, and ensuring he and his reindeer are safe in the night sky.

“We kind of just track Santa Claus across the county,” Mallory said. “All the kids are listening and kind of know where he’s at and know when to be prepared. It’s an overall great experience for us all together.”

“We never know what’s going to happen,” Murrell said. “There’s no script. There’s no anything. We just go with it. Wherever Santa’s at, we’re tracking just to make sure all the gifts get delivered, and everybody’s in bed, and everything’s ready to go for him.”

The hour-long dispatch has amassed thousands of viewers across the region.

Murrell said the excitement kids get as Santa approaches with gifts in tow is priceless.

“We have one little boy from Sullivan County that’s special needs,” she said. “Last year, we arrested the Grinch, and he was so excited, he swore that we saved Christmas. Anything like that, it’s well worth it.”

Operation Santa Claus broadcasts on the Hawkins County Emergency Communications Facebook page or on the Hawkins County fire frequency from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24.