Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today named Officer Jason Kalmanek the May Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department.  Officer Kalmanek has been with KPD since September 2009.  

On May 2, 2015, at approximately 1:42 a.m., officers responded to a robbery call at the Breadbox store located on Millertown Pike.  A description of the suspect and his vehicle was obtained and provided to officers.  At 1:58 a.m., a second Breadbox store located on Asheville Highway was robbed by what was believed to be the same suspect.  

Chief Rausch said, “Acting on a hunch that the path the suspects would take could possibly be the Strawberry Plains Pike area, Officer Kalmanek began circulating stores and restaurants in that area.”

At approximately 2:11 a.m., Officer Kalmanek observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle traveling east on Straw Plains Pike.  Officer Kalmanek executed a U-turn and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle as it was pulling into a restaurant parking lot.  As Officer Kalmanek approached the vehicle he observed three individuals inside the vehicle.  In addition, clothing that matched the description of the robbery suspect was lying on the seat next to the rear seat passenger.  

Officer Kalmanek immediately detained and separated the three suspects.  Upon search of the vehicle, a black semi-automatic BB pistol was located under the front passenger seat.  

The three suspects were transported to the Safety Building where they were interviewed by investigators.  Physical evidence from the vehicle was processed and confiscated.  As a result of the interview and the discovery of the evidence, the back seat passenger, John Schubert 33, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery.  In addition, information was obtained that Schubert could possibly be responsible for at least three similar incidents in the county.  The driver of the vehicle, Jaclyn Wolfenbarger 26, was charged with driving on a suspended license.  The front seat passenger, Timothy Davis 34, was charged with Public Intoxication.  

Chief Rausch said, “Officer Kalmanek performed at an exemplary level for acting on a hunch of where the suspects may hit next, observing the suspect’s vehicle, and using caution to preserve the evidence.  Thank you for your outstanding efforts.”


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