Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen today awarded the department's Life Saving Award to Officer Robert Taylor. Officer Taylor has been with the department since May 1994.

Chief Owen said the Life Saving Award is being awarded to Officer Taylor for his actions on September 22, 2004. While on his way home at the end of his shift, Officer Taylor heard over the radio that an automobile crash with injuries had occurred on McKamey Road.

When Officer Taylor arrived on the scene, he found a Chevy Camaro had wrecked into a utility pole. The vehicle was on fire with flames erupting from the engine compartment. The driver was still in the burning car injured and disoriented from the crash.

Officer Taylor reached into the vehicle, unlatched the seatbelt from around the driver and pulled him through the window to safety just before the vehicle erupted into flames. The driver was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Chief Owen said, "Officer Taylor exhibited quick thinking and calm reasoning that possibly resulted in the driver's life being saved. And for that the department, the victim's family and this entire community are grateful for his heroic actions."