Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-21-107: Government messages

(a) In consideration of the right-of-way over public property pursuant to §§ 65-21-101 and 65-21-201 , every telegraph or telephone corporation shall, in the case of war, insurrection, or civil commotion of any kind, and for the arrest of criminals, give immediate dispatch, at the usual rates of charge, to any message connected therewith of any officer of the state or of the United States.

(b) Any officer or agent of a telegraph or telephone company who fails or refuses to carry out the provisions of subsection (a) commits a Class A misdemeanor.