Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief Eve Thomas awarded the Life Saving Award to Knoxville Police Department Officer Carl Kennedy. 

Officer Kennedy has been with KPD since September 2009. 

On February 4, 2018, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Officer Carl Kennedy and Officer Christopher Ott responded to 3900 Pleasant Ridge Road in reference to a person who had been shot.  While responding the officers were informed that the victim had been shot while inside his apartment.  Both the victim and his friend were disassembling handguns when the friend’s gun discharged striking the victim.  After being shot, the friend placed him in his vehicle and attempted to take him to the hospital.  When he realized the extent of the injuries he pulled over and called 911.  

When Officer Kennedy and Officer Ott arrived on the scene they quickly determined the victim needed emergency medical treatment.  The victim had sustained a major gunshot wound to his right arm.  Officer Kennedy realized this was arterial bleeding and that he was losing a large amount of blood.  Officer Kennedy retrieved a tourniquet from his vehicle and began applying it to the victim.  Officer Kennedy was able to control the bleeding prior to EMS and KFD arriving on the scene.  The victim was transported by EMS to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for further treatment.  

Chief Thomas said, “Medical staff at the scene and hospital stated that the medical treatment provided by Officer Kennedy prevented the victim from losing a fatal amount of blood prior to his arrival at the hospital.  Officer Kennedy’s quick thinking, ability to maintain his composure under stress and application of a tourniquet saved the victim’s life.”