For his leadership and dedication to the men and women of the Knoxville Police Department, Lt. Keith DeBow was awarded the Mike Waggoner Leadership Award at the Knoxville Police Department Recognition Luncheon on Monday, April 1, 2019.

Lt. DeBow graduated from the Knoxville Police Department Training Academy in 1995. He worked as a patrol officer in some of Knoxville’s toughest neighborhoods until his promotion to the rank of sergeant in June of 2002. 

As a Patrol Sergeant, Lt. DeBow inspired and motivated his officers to follow his lead; be proactive, work hard, take care of each other, and help the people we’ve sworn to protect.

Lt. DeBow also served as Recruit Coordinator at the Knoxville Police Academy as a sergeant. In this role, his responsibilities involved being deeply involved in every aspect of our recruits’ lives during their time at the Academy. This included being a motivator, coach, disciplinarian, and father figure to them. 

In June of 2010, Lt. DeBow was promoted to lieutenant. Before long he returned to patrol and served in a variety of roles, including most recently being the Executive Officer to the West District Commander. 

Lt. DeBow is a veteran of the United States Army, and currently serves as the Commander of the Department’s Special Operations Squad.