May 7, 2014 - Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Officer Sergio Marrero the March Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Officer Marrero has been with the department since June 2006.

Chief Rausch said that on March 29, 2014, at approximately 1:20 p.m., a Central District officer was dispatched to a residential burglary call on Bridge Avenue. Officer Marrero heard the call and volunteered to respond since he was near the victim's residence. The victim's residence had been burglarized twice with various electronic items stolen each time.

Chief Rausch said, "Early in Officer Marrero's investigation, he came to believe that a neighbor may be responsible for the thefts. Instead of turning the investigation over to a property crimes investigator, Officer Marrero decided to visit the potential suspect."

After speaking to the suspect and then giving the Miranda warning, the suspect confessed to the burglary. A subsequent search of the suspect's residence resulted in the recovery of all the stolen property.

Chief Rausch said, "Officer Marrero spent more than five hours seeing this case through. That included more than three hours of work past the end of his shift. His actions show not only dedication to the department and the city, but to the victim of the crime as well."

"I applaud Officer Marrero who clearly takes pride in his profession and is a credit to this agency," Chief Rausch concluded.

Suspect Arrested:

Zachary Wall
DOB: 10-8-93
Bridge Avenue address
Charges: Three counts of Theft and one count of Aggravated Burglary


Click here to view a listing of previous KPD award winners.