Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Garrett Fontanez the January 2017 Officer of the Month. Officer Fontanez has been with KPD since January 2014.
On January 19, 2017, at approximately 6:57 p.m., Officer Garrett Fontanez responded to a possible overdose call at 3208 Rudy Street. A male and female were passed out in their car after shooting up Opana pain pills. Officer Fontanez did an outstanding job interviewing the two suspects on scene and gathering information on where and when they had bought the illegal opiates. During the following week between normal calls for service, Officer Fontanez conducted surveillance on the home located on Connecticut Avenue. Officer Fontanez observed so many vehicles and pedestrians coming and going from the home he knew there was a major problem. Officer Fontanez reached out to the Organized Crime Unit to discuss the best way to address the problem.
Chief Rausch said, “Officer Fontanez drew up a very detailed plan on how to stop the illegal activity. He made sure he knew all about the two suspects and their criminal histories prior to implementing the plan. One of the suspects was currently on Parole for felony drug charges.”
On January 27, 2017, Officer Fontanez was in plain clothes and using departmental video equipment to record the hand-to-hand transactions taking place through a window at the home. Within 45 minutes he had enough evidence recorded to stop a vehicle leaving the home. The vehicle, a 1996 Chevrolet S-10 left the home and parked facing the wrong direction on New York Avenue at Burnside Street. It was discovered that the two people in the truck were actually the two subjects that live in the home and that were believed to be selling the drugs. A consent search yielded over 30 Opana pain pills, 8.5 Zanax pills and over $1000 in cash. It was explained to the passenger that due to the conditions on his Parole that his room would be searched. Upon search of his room officers located additional Opana pain pills, 7 crack pipes, Suboxone strips and over 100 syringes.
Chief Rausch said, “Officer Fontanez was very professional, diligent and productive with this assignment. There is no doubt that property crime was reduced in the area due to the drug supply being cut off. Several neighbors approached officers while on scene and thanked them for helping clean up their neighborhood.”
Total Items Confiscated
50 Opana pain pills, 8.5 Xanax pills, 2 Suboxone Strips, 3 Gift cards, 2 EBT cards, 6 cell phones, $3,628.00 in cash.
Suspect 1
Kenneth Pate
DOB: 09-25-65
Address: Connecticut Avenue
Charges: 1) Possession of schedule II for resale in school zone 2) Simple possession of schedule III 3) Simple possession of schedule VI 4) Possession of drug paraphernalia **He is also on Parole for possession of schedule II for resale** Extensive local criminal history; to include two Aggravated Robberies, Robbery and assaults.
Suspect 2
Kandi Tolliver
DOB: 08-25-83
Address: Connecticut Avenue
Charges: 1) Possession of schedule II for resale in a school zone 2) Possession of schedule IV for resale in a school zone 3) Possession of drug paraphernalia 4) Driving on a revoked driver's license
Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.