Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Chief David Rausch named Officer Garrett Fontanez the August Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department.  Officer Fontanez has been with KPD since January 2014.

On Sunday, August 13, 2017, after responding to a noise complaint on Major Avenue, Officer Fontanez was flagged down by a 76-year-old woman who said she had paid a male up front to cut her grass.  The male took the money, but did not cut her grass.  To add insult to injury, the male stole the woman’s push mower.  As the woman was obviously upset about the situation, without hesitation Officer Fontanez told her that he would cut her grass.  Two days later, Officer Fontanez spent his entire day off cutting the woman's grass free of charge and vowed to help her keep it cut throughout the summer.  Officer Fontanez has also been on the lookout for the suspect to hold him accountable for his uncaring and illegal actions. 

Chief Rausch said, “Officer Fontanez did an outstanding job by being compassionate in a situation where he could have simply taken a report and moved on to the next call.  His action was not done for recognition.  He acted because he genuinely cares for the community he serves.  

Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.