Tenn. Code Ann. § 7-3-503: Service of citation or warrant

If the police or peace officer or employee of a metropolitan government authorized to enforce such ordinance, law or regulation is unable to serve the citation or civil warrant issued pursuant to § 7-3-501 at the time the ordinance, law or regulation is violated, the citation or civil warrant may be served by the police or peace officer or any employee of the metropolitan government authorized to enforce such ordinance, law or regulation or charged with the duty to serve civil or criminal process and who is at least eighteen (18) years of age. Service may be made by delivering a copy of the citation or civil warrant to the violator personally or, if the violator evades service, by leaving a copy of the citation or warrant at the violator's dwelling house or usual place of abode, with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing in the dwelling house or abode, whose name shall appear on the proof of service.