Critical Incident Video Release: Arrest of Lisa Edwards (February 5, 2023)Knoxville Police Department - TN2024-10-22 | Critical Incident Video Release: Arrest of Lisa Edwards (February 5, 2023)Farewell to Assistant Chief Mark FortnerKnoxville Police Department - TN2024-01-26 | On Wednesday night, the Knoxville Police Department honored Assistant Chief Mark Fortner, who is set to retire after serving the department and Knoxville community for 31 years.Officers Gift Bikes to KidsKnoxville Police Department - TN2023-04-06 | On March 29, Officer Ayotte was patrolling his area when he found two children’s bicycles that were being thrown away. Officer Ayotte asked the homeowner if he could have the bikes instead. After getting minor repairs done to one of the bikes, he, along with Officer Walton and Officer Zirges took the bikes and gave them to a group of kids. Officer Ayotte also handed out stickers and let the kids try on his vest and helmet!KPD T.R.A.C.K. Driving ProgramKnoxville Police Department - TN2023-03-21 | "Experience the T.R.A.C.K." is a comprehensive two day defensive driving program conducted at Knoxville Police Department's 18 acre driving track. Students 16-19 years of age will receive personal training from skilled, certified KPD defensive driving instructors both on the driving track and in the classroom. Statistics show that teen drivers lack knowledge and driving experience which directly correlates to the leading causes of teen crashes and fatalities. The mission of "T.R.A.C.K." (Training-Responsibility-Awareness-Confidence-Knowledge) focuses on educating teen drivers by increasing awareness of the adverse conditions and situations that contribute to teen crashes. Teen drivers will be better equipped to handle a wider variety of driving hazards, conditions, and situations by developing driving skills designed to enhance their abilities.Farewell to Deputy Chief Cindy CassKnoxville Police Department - TN2023-02-03 | Members of the Knoxville Police Department said farewell to Deputy Chief Gass, who on January 31, 2023 officially retired from the KPD after nearly 50 years of service to the department and Knoxville community.Deputy Chief Cindy Gass set to retire after nearly 50 years at the KPDKnoxville Police Department - TN2023-01-25 | Deputy Chief Cindy Gass is set to retire from the KPD at the end of this month. Deputy Chief Gass has dedicated nearly 50 years to the KPD, including 43 years as a sworn officer.
The first sworn female Deputy Chief in the history of the KPD, she will leave behind a legacy as a caring and compassionate leader who championed the department’s efforts to support the mental and emotional wellness of officers and employees.
Words do not adequately express how grateful we are to Deputy Chief Gass for her contributions to the KPD and selfless service to the Knoxville community.Sextortion and How to Prevent ItKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-12-01 | Members of the Knoxville Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force talk about sextortion and how to prevent it.
More information about sextortion can be found at www.missingkids.org.KPD Officers Hand Out Advance Auto Parts Gift CardsKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-10-19 | In August, Advance Auto Parts donated $1,000 worth of gift cards to the Knoxville Police Department as part of their roadway and vehicle safety program. KPD officers handed out those gift cards to motorists who were stopped for equipment violations, giving those motorists the ability to fix their headlight or taillight with little to no financial burden.Retirement Reception for Chief Eve ThomasKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-04-29 | Retirement Reception for Chief Eve Thomas
April 27, 20222021 KPD Employee Recognition LuncheonKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-04-27 | It was truly an honor and privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of six outstanding Knoxville Police Department employees and one Explorer volunteer during yesterday's Employee Recognition Luncheon.
Congratulations again to the 2021 Officer of the Year, Employee of the Year, Explorer of the Year and Mike Waggoner Leadership Award recipients, and thank you for your dedication to the KPD and the Knoxville community.KPD Lateral Transfer OpportunityKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-01-24 | Attention Certified Police Officers:
There's no better place to live and serve than Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Police Department is accepting applications for Lateral Transfer Officers. For more information and to apply, visit www.joinknoxpd.com.KPD Accepting Applications for Lateral Transfer OfficersKnoxville Police Department - TN2022-01-18 | Now through February 14, the Knoxville Police Department is accepting applications for Lateral Transfer Officers. For more information, please visit www.joinknoxpd.com.Shining Our Lights for East Tennessee Childrens HospitalKnoxville Police Department - TN2021-12-29 | On Tuesday night, Knoxville first responders showed their support for the children at East Tennessee Children's Hospital by shining their lights for the kids and their families.2021-B Lateral Academy Swearing In CeremonyKnoxville Police Department - TN2021-11-01 | On October 28, 2021, eight new KPD officers were sworn in and took their oath of office after completing the lateral transfer academy. These eight officers joined the KPD after previously serving for other agencies across the country. We spoke with three of those new officers about where they came from and what drew them to Knoxville and the KPD.2021 KPD Memorial ServiceKnoxville Police Department - TN2021-05-19 | On Tuesday, May 18, the Knoxville Police Department took a moment to honor and remember the nine retired KPD officers who passed away over the last year.2021-A Basic Recruit Academy WelcomeKnoxville Police Department - TN2021-03-29 | The 2021-A Basic Recruit Academy officially kicked off this morning as 29 recruits, 5 lateral transfers and 4 cadets started their journey at the Knoxville Police Department.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 22Knoxville Police Department - TN2021-02-10 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has reached the 22nd and final week of the Training Academy. Recruit and Class 2020-B President Matthew Hurski reflects on the academy as the class prepares for graduation on Thursday night.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 20Knoxville Police Department - TN2021-02-09 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has reached week 20 of the training academy. Recruit Caleb Bailey talks about his experiences in the academy and more as the recruits near graduation.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 17Knoxville Police Department - TN2021-01-07 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has reached week 17 of the training academy. Recruit Savannah Ray talks about her experiences in the academy, DUI training and what she is looking forward to as the recruits near graduation.Public Safety Complex - 2020 progressKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-12-30 | ...2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 13Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-12-10 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class is past the halfway point of the training academy and has reached week 13. Recruit Christian Ferreras talks about the progress of the class, why he wanted to be a police officer and his military background.Unsolved Murder: Shanna HarmonKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-12-01 | The Knoxville Police Department is continuing to seek information concerning the unsolved 2017 murder of 28-year-old Shanna Harmon.
On May 19, 2017 at approximately 3:20 a.m., Knoxville Police Department investigators responded to 1100 Chickamauga Avenue in reference to a shooting incident that had taken place just minutes prior to officer arrival in front of 1100 Chickamauga Avenue and at the intersection of Oswald Street. Responding officers located Shanna Harmon unconscious in the street with at least one gunshot wound. She was transported to the UT Medical Center for treatment. Investigators were contacted by UT Medical Center staff just before 9:30 a.m. and advised that the victim had been pronounced deceased as a result of the gunshot wound.
Over two years later, an arrest has not been made in connection to Harmon’s murder.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation into the murder of Shanna Harmon is urged to call 865-215-7315 or email unsolvedmurder@knoxvilletn.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 10Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-11-19 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has reached week 10 of the training academy. Recruit Kirsten Yule-Zaagman talks about the progress of the class, why she wanted to be a police officer and the takeaways from the academy as it nears the halfway point.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 6Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-11-05 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has entered week six of the training academy. Recruit Micah Bohon talks about how why she wanted to be a police officer, the progress of the class and last Saturday's community service project.Why to join the Knoxville Police Department?Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-10-20 | ...Why Knoxville?Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-10-20 | There is no better place to live and serve than Knoxville.2020-B Basic Recruit Class - Week 4Knoxville Police Department - TN2020-10-08 | The 2020-B Basic Recruit Class has entered week four of the training academy. Recruit Matthew Hurski talks about the progress of the class, the History of KPD class and cultural diversity training.Unsolved Murder: Gina ThackerKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-10-06 | The Knoxville Police Department is continuing to seek information concerning the unsolved 2009 murder of 23-year-old Gina Thacker.
On February 8, 2009, KPD investigators responded to 3504 Oak Branch Circle off Valley View Drive in North Knoxville, where Thacker was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced deceased. Over 11 years later, the case is still open and there remain no suspects or leads.
On the night of her murder, investigators determined that Gina left Spicy’s off Emory Road alone at around 2 a.m. Two hours later, she was found shot to death in her vehicle at the Valley Oaks Apartment complex, where she had no known connections.
Evidence at the scene points to a likely robbery. A green purse strap was found in the parking lot just outside of the driver’s side door of the victim’s car, indicating that there was likely a struggle of some kind. There is also the possibility that she had a passenger in her vehicle prior to the murder as the passenger seat was reclined back. Officers also located drug paraphernalia in the course of their investigation.
Despite numerous, thorough canvases of the area, which included a search of the area dumpsters and woods, Gina’s phone, purse or personal effects were never recovered.
There were no cameras at the apartment complex at the time of the murder, nor did any witnesses come forward with information at any point during the investigation. There was minimal physical evidence as investigators only recovered a few fingerprints off the car, all of which belonged to the victim or first responders.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation into the murder of Gina Thacker is urged to call 865-215-7331 or email crimestoppers@knoxvilletn.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.Unsolved Murder: DeShawn KingKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-10-06 | The Knoxville Police Department is continuing to seek information concerning the unsolved 2013 murder of 18-year-old DeShawn King.
On January 30, 2013 at approximately 12:45 a.m., Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting at 310 East New Street, where DeShawn Dupree King of Knoxville, Tennessee was found dead in the passenger seat of a green Ford Explorer. Shortly after the incident, investigators learned that the shooting actually occurred on Linden Avenue, possibly near the 2300 block of Linden. Witnesses reported that two male subjects in black hoodies were present during the shooting and fled in the immediate aftermath.
No video evidence was obtained from the scene of the crime, but investigators have substantial reason to believe that there are individuals with knowledge of the people responsible for King’s murder, and need the assistance of the community to obtain justice.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation into the murder of DeShawn King is urged to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 865-215-7317 or email unsolvedmurder@knoxvilletn.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.Unsolved Murder: Jennifer Leeann LawKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-08-13 | The Knoxville Police Department is continuing to seek information regarding the unsolved 2007 murder of 24-year-old Jennifer Leeann Law. On September 15, 2007, investigators responded to the area of Hoitt Avenue near Boone Street, where the burned body of the victim was discovered in an alley. Anyone with information is urged to call either 865-215-7021 or 865-215-7212 or email unsolvedmurder@knoxvilletn.gov.2020 National Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremonyKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-15 | May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. As part of that, the Knoxville Police Department honored its former officers who passed away as well as the eight Tennessee law enforcement professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in 20192019 Community Service AwardKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-11 | The Knoxville Police Department is proud to recognize Captain Susan Coker and Officer Lori Banks as the co-recipients of the 2019 Community Service Award2019 Explorer of the YearKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-11 | The Knoxville Police Department is proud to recognize Arim Ismail as the 2019 Explorer of the Year2019 Civilian Employee of the Year AwardKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-11 | The Knoxville Police Department is proud to recognize the three-man maintenance staff of Ben Peterson, Jody Dykes and Caleb Sheville as the recipients of the 2019 Civilian Employee of the Year Award2019 Mike Waggoner Leadership AwardKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-11 | The Knoxville Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Phyllis Tonkin as the recipient of the 2019 Mike Waggoner Leadership Award2019 Officer of the YearKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-11 | The Knoxville Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Ethan Grantham and Officer Patty Tipton as the co-recipients of the 2019 Officer of the Year awardBasic Recruit Class 2020-AKnoxville Police Department - TN2020-05-04 | New police recruits and cadets officially began the Knoxville Police Department Training Academy on Monday, May 4Help for the HomelessKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-11-29 | Officer Thomas Clinton talks about homelessness in Knoxville, what the KPD is doing to address it and how you can help those in need in the best way possible.Welcoming the New KPD RecruitsKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | The KPD command staff and officers welcomed the new recruits as they began the training academyHeatstroke Awareness CampaignKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | KPD's Joyce Minter provides cautionary reminders for parents and pet owners for when the temperature goes upKPD Roll Call - Toni MullettKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | Get to know Officer Toni Mullett in episode three of KPD Roll CallKPD Roll Call - Nelson HamiltonKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | Get to know Officer Nelson Hamilton in episode two of KPD Roll CallKPD Roll Call - Tim EdwardsKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | Get to know Officer Tim Edwards in episode one of KPD Roll CallKPD Roll Call - Claudia GarciaKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | Get to know Animal Control Officer Claudia Garcia in episode four of KPD Roll CallKPD Chief of Police Chief Thomas run with new recruitsKnoxville Police Department - TN2019-10-17 | KPD Chief of Police Eve Thomas went on a Friday morning run with the new recruits at the training academyKnoxville Police Dept. Peace Officer Memorial 2019Knoxville Police Department - TN2019-05-16 | ...Shining Our LightsKnoxville Police Department - TN2018-12-20 | The Knoxville Police and Fire Departments are Shining our Lights for East Tennessee Children's Hospital. For more information on how you can shine your light for the children visit: www.etch.com/lightUnsolved Homicide: Benjamin JerniganKnoxville Police Department - TN2018-12-14 | Unsolved Homicide: Benjamin Jernigan On October 8, 2016, Benjamin Jernigan was found deceased inside his vehicle from a gunshot wound. Can you help solve this case?Officer Kee TributeKnoxville Police Department - TN2018-08-01 | The Knoxville Police Department Explorer Post was recently asked by the Coastal Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police Tri-County Lodge #3 to place a flag at the final resting place of Mount Pleasant South Carolina Police Officer Vaughn Edward Kee. Officer Kee was struck and killed by a drunk driver while on a traffic stop with another drunk driver on December 13, 1985.
We gathered several of our KPD Police Explorers to place the flag at his gravesite (which is located at a very small cemetery in West Knoxville). Upon our arrival, we saw a KPD symbol engraved in Officer Kee's headstone along with the Mount Pleasant Police symbol and several other South Carolina Law Enforcement symbols. Intrigued, we researched why the KPD symbol was present on the headstone. We discovered Officer Kee served the City of Knoxville as a KPD Police Explorer, as well as a Reserve Police Officer from the mid 1970's until around 1983 when he moved to South Carolina to become a Police Officer.
We also discovered that Officer Kee's brother recently retired from Knox County School's Security Division as a Captain, and two of his nephews are current Police Officers - one for the Sevierville Police Department and the other with the Blount County Sheriff's Office.
It was a true honor for our Police Explorers to pay tribute to Officer Kee and render a salute at his final resting place. Even though his line of duty death was in 1985, we will place a flag at his grave-site each year to honor his life and legacy, not only for our brothers and sisters in South Carolina, but for our department and community as well.KPD Police Lip Sync ChallengeKnoxville Police Department - TN2018-07-10 | Challenge Accepted! The Knoxville Police Department was challenged by K9s4Cops.org and Cleveland TN Police Department to join the national police #lipsyncchallenge. We thank our supporters for all of the song suggestions, but we believe the song chosen represents how each member of the KPD will do whatever it takes to protect our city.
We now challenge Knox County Sheriff's Office and University of Tennessee Police Department. We hope you enjoy the video and thank you for your support. #lipsync #kpd #communitystrong #leolipsyncbattle #policelipsyncNew TN State School Zone LawKnoxville Police Department - TN2018-01-05 | For the safety of our children, please stay off of your handheld mobile devices in school zones.