Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen named Officer John Williams and Officer David Ogle the April 2006 Officers of the Month. Officer Williams has been with the KPD since August 2000. Officer Ogle has been with the department since May 2002.
Chief Owen said that on April 13, 2006 at approximately 12:57 p.m., officers responded to a call that several males wearing red bandanas had jumped from a vehicle and pulled guns on several unknown persons before returning to their gray Chevy Celebrity and quickly leaving the Montgomery Village complex. A few minutes later, Officer Williams observed the vehicle on Martin Mill Pike and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from Officer Williams and entered the parking lot of an apartment complex. The four suspects immediately bailed from their car. Officer Ogle and Officer Williams took two of the suspects into custody without incident and tracked the third suspect to a nearby apartment where he was also taken into custody without incident.
Two of the three suspects arrested were juveniles. All three suspects had prior arrests or were ShoCap juveniles. Three handguns, one with laser sights, were recovered from the vehicle along with the red bandanas. The two juveniles and the adult, 18-year-old Toreano Craigmire, were each charged with possession of a handgun with intent to go armed. The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Anthony Brabson, was later identified and arrested. Brabson was charged with possession of a weapon with intent to go armed and felony fleeing.
Chief Owen said, "These four suspects are possibly connected to several armed robberies that have occurred during the past several months. Their involvement in these incidents is still under investigation."
"I'm confident that the arrest of these four individuals has prevented additional crimes from occurring in our neighborhoods," said Chief Owen.
Mayor Haslam said, "These officers remain diligent in their efforts to make our city safer for all citizens. We commend them for their actions."
Both officers will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief along with a free dinner from Ruby Tuesday Restaurant.