Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Digital Forensic Analyst Shannon Morris and Grants and Planning Manager Stacey Payne were announced as the co-recipients of the 2021 Employee of the Year Award on Tuesday at the Knoxville Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. 

“Both Shannon and Stacey are incredibly dedicated and passionate employees who made significant contributions to the Knoxville Police Department and the Knoxville community in 2021,” Chief Eve Thomas said. “They are entirely deserving of this recognition.”

Morris, who is recognized as a subject matter expert in the technical examination of digital evidence from electronic devices, was selected to receive the 2021 Employee of the Year Award for the critical role she played in the resolution of the Desheena Kyle case. 

Kyle was reported missing by her family on June 28, 2021, and foul play was suspected early in the case. In the days and weeks that followed, investigators spent countless hours attempting to locate Desheena, but those efforts were proving unsuccessful. 

While those efforts were underway, Morris continued to vigorously analyze data points from the electronic evidence that was collected in the course of the investigation. Morris’s analysis helped narrow down and eliminate locations to find Desheena within the several square miles that encompassed the initial search area. Over hundreds of hours, Morris pored over the evidence and combined that with new intelligence to help direct those working the case. 

Those efforts came to fruition on September 28, 2021, when Morris identified a possible location on Sam Tillery Lane in north Knox County. That information was relayed to Criminal Investigation Division commanders, who responded and identified the location as an unoccupied home. Morris remained in contact with CID personnel throughout their response. Search and Rescue personnel were called in to assist and ultimately found the body of Desheena on the property. 

In her nomination, it was stated that “this was not the outcome that anyone had hoped for” and continued to say that “it is not an overstatement to say that Ms. Morris was absolutely critical to this case. So much so, that I confidently submit that Ms. Kyle’s body would not have been found without her vested personal interest in the case, her accumulated years of expertise, and her determination to help find Ms. Kyle.” 

The discovery of Desheena ultimately led to a first-degree murder charge against John Bassett, a first step towards justice for the family and Desheena. 

The nomination went on to say that Morris’s “work on the Desheena Kyle case was incredible and it alone is worthy of this award. But the enthusiasm and dedication that she gives to every case she touches is what defines who she is as an employee.” 

Payne, one of two Grants and Planning Managers for the KPD, was selected as a co-recipient of the 2021 Employee of the Year Award for her tireless efforts to launch and manage the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers program. 

That was no small task. Though Crime Stoppers is a well-known, nationally-recognized brand, knowledge about the program was limited in Knoxville. Stacey changed that, working diligently to communicate the benefits of the program both internally and externally and create buy-in by taking part in countless media interviews, meeting with numerous community groups and building a robust social media presence. 

From the program’s launch on May 1, 2021 through February 22, 2022, East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers had received over 1,800 tips, which led to 49 arrests. A total of 37 cases were cleared via Crime Stoppers, 13 fugitives were apprehended, over $2,400 worth of drugs were seized and over $9,000 in payouts for tips were approved. 

Stacey also facilitated a marked growth of the program, adding all four Grainger County law enforcement agencies into the program. That was done not only in an effort to increase the funds available for Crime Stoppers to pull from but to support the public safety capabilities of every East Tennessee community. 

Stacey was able to build the local Crime Stoppers program from the ground up all while managing as many as nine grants at one time. 

In her nomination, it was stated, “From day one, Stacey has proven to be deeply committed to the goals and mission of the Knoxville Police Department. In her capacity as the Grants and Planning Manager and de facto East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers coordinator, Stacey has worked steadfastly without complaint to help the department accomplish its mission.”