Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch today named Knoxville Police Department Officer Keith Lyon the August Officer of the Month. Officer Lyon has been with KPD since March 1994.
During the month of August 2016, Knoxville, Knox County and agencies in Blount County had a surge of tire and automotive stores burglarized during overnight hours where a large number of tires were being stolen. On August 24, 2016, officers were informed of a likely suspect who had been identified and that warrants were pending on this subject. That information was passed along to the members of West Bravo Squad in order to be on the lookout for the subject and his vehicle.
Officer Lyon took the information and began tracking for leads on the suspect. He spent a day and a half researching social media, checking possible addresses, talking to local tire distributors and checking area hotel and motels. During the entire process he kept in communication with the investigators and apprised them of the leads he was turning up. On August 25, his work paid off in that he received information from an employee of a tire distributor as to a possible location that the suspect may be staying. The motel mentioned ended up not being a good location for the subject, but in checking the nearby motels the subject’s vehicle was located. Officer Lyon requested backup, obtained the room number for the suspect, and ultimately took the suspect into custody without incident.
The suspect was arrested on multiple felony cases out of Knoxville and Blount County. He was also interviewed by investigators concerning numerous other business burglaries he was suspected of committing.
Chief Rausch said, “Officer Lyon’s initiative and diligence on this case is precisely what made the difference, which ultimately resulted in the subject’s arrest. His actions not only removed a prolific burglar off the streets, but is an example to others on how hard work and diligence in investigating cases pays off. Congratulations on a job well done to help keep Knoxville safer.”
Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.