Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today named Knoxville Police Department Officers Jay Williams and Jonathan Book the February Officers of the Month.  Officer Williams has been with KPD since 2003.  Officer Book has been with the department since January 2014.  

Chief Rausch said on February 24, 2015, the E-911 Center received a call from an elderly female asking for food.  Dispatchers notified Knoxville Police Department Officers Jay Williams and Jonathan Book and advised they felt the woman was confused or distressed.  Both officers responded to Harvey Street where they located the 78-year-old woman who welcomed them into her residence.  The officers looked in her kitchen where the only food they were able to locate was a half-empty jar of peanut butter that she had been rationing since February 16.  No other food was located in the residence. The woman told the officers that she waited so long to call for assistance because she did not want to be a burden to anyone and that she did not know who else to call.  The officers immediately went to a nearby grocery store and purchased the woman some groceries.  The officers then went to Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) and with their assistance obtained a tray of hot food.  

The officers continued with their efforts to help the female by making multiple calls in an effort to obtain future assistance for the woman.  The very next day, Mobile Meals, the Love Kitchen and Adult Protective Services got involved to ensure the female would be cared for in the future.
 
Chief Rausch said, “Their actions exemplified the WOW service that I often speak about.  Their human and humane response shows the true spirit of our profession and quite frankly, a spiritual side that few understand.”

“Thank you Officer Williams and Officer Book for representing yourselves and our department the way you do.”



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