Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen today named Officer Brad Boruff and Officer John Williams the Officers of the Month for July. Officer Boruff has been with the department since November 2003. Officer Williams has been with KPD since August 2000.

Chief Owen said that on July 4, 2006 at approximately 10:50 p.m. officers responded to an armed robbery call at the Wal-Mart fuel station located at 7420 Chapman Highway. The clerk at the fuel center claimed an unknown male dressed in black clothing gave her a note demanding cash from the register. The victim also claimed the suspect had a handgun, ordered her to the ground, and told her not to call police.

Chief Owen said, "Officers Boruff and Williams reviewed the surveillance tape and immediately found several flaws in the victim's story. The tape reveled that the victim never read the robbery note and the cash drawer was already open prior to receiving the note."

The officers questioned the victim's husband who had arrived on the scene during the investigation. During the questioning, he confessed that he and his wife along with a third person had planned the false robbery. The officers located the third suspect's residence and was granted consent to search by the homeowner.

"As the officers walked through the residence the third suspect and his wife were located in the kitchen. The two were in the process of cooking heroin on the stove. Multiple needles were also found next to the stove," said Chief Owen.

The clerk, Crystal Gregory, was arrested and charged with filing a false report and theft. The clerk's husband, Kenneth Prichard, was charged with theft. The third suspect, Casey Hill, was charged with theft, possession of schedule I drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hill's wife, Laura Hill, was charged with possession of schedule I drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chief Owen said, "These officers conducted a thorough preliminary investigation which resulted in multiple arrests for very serious offenses."

Mayor Haslam said, "We commend these officers for their outstanding police work."
The officers will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief and a free dinner from Bayou Bay Seafood House.