Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen named Animal Control Officer Ronda Halseth the April Civilian Employee of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Halseth has been with KPD since March 2008.

Chief Owen said that on April 22, 2010, Knoxville Animal Control Officers were removing multiple dogs from a residence on Nuebert Springs Road when Officer Keith Hogue became ill. Officer Hogue got into his vehicle to cool off thinking he was suffering from either heat exhaustion or dehydration. Officer Halseth noticed Officer Hogue in his vehicle and questioned him several times on how he was feeling. Due to his responses and his appearance, Officer Halseth requested an ambulance to respond to the scene.

Chief Owen said, "Once the ambulance arrived, Officer Halseth informed the EMT's on how Officer Hogue was acting and his responses to her questions. The EMT's immediately transported Officer Hogue to the hospital where it was determined he was having a heart attack."

Doctors told Officer Hogue that had Officer Halseth not noticed him and his condition and had not called for an ambulance, he would not have made it to the hospital alive.

Chief Owen said, "We commend Officer Halseth's alertness during a hectic and fast moving incident along with her ability to stay calm and look out for her fellow employees."

Mayor Haslam said, "We congratulate Officer Halseth for her actions in what was a very difficult time for the Animal Control Unit."