Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen named Sgt. Lee Ragsdale the Knoxville Police Department's Reserve Officer of the Year for 2005. Ragsdale is the Probation and Parole Program Coordinator with the Knoxville Police Department and has been a member of the Reserve Unit since December 1999.

Chief Owen said Sgt. Ragsdale is a valuable asset to the Reserve Unit. During 2005, Ragsdale volunteered more than 500 hours to the unit. He also took on the recruiting function of the unit and developed a new comprehensive brochure for the unit.

Chief Owen said, "Lee's commitment to the community doesn't stop with his involvement in the Reserve Unit. Lee is a member of the Midway Rehabilitation Board of Directors, the Helen Ross McNabb Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, the Child and Family Bridging the Gap Program Community Advisory Committee, the Knox County Drug Court Treatment Team, the Department of Corrections / Board of Probation and Paroles Tennessee Community Resource Board, and a member of the Department of Corrections Tennessee Reentry Collaborative. And if that weren't enough, Lee also volunteers at the Board of Probation and Parole by teaching a class titled 'Responsible Fatherhood' and is a volunteer in the Buddies and Badges mentoring program.

Mayor Haslam said, "The amount of time Lee contributes to the community is amazing. There is no doubt he is committed to making a difference in the lives of our citizens. We commend him on his excellent work."

Reserve Sgt. Ragsdale will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief along with a free dinner from Ruby Tuesday Restaurant.