Blog: KPD News & Alerts

KPD Mourning the Loss of Officer Jeff Damewood

The Knoxville Police Department mourns the loss of Officer Jeff Damewood, who passed away on Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Medical Center following an over year-long battle with cancer.

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Damewood joined the KPD in January of 1997. After completing the training academy, Damewood took his oath of office in June 1997.

During his 24-year tenure, Damewood served the KPD in numerous capacities, spending the majority of his career on patrol. At different junctures of his time on patrol, he was assigned to the K-9 unit and also worked as a Field Training Officer, helping to prepare graduates of the recruit academy for solo work in the field. He also served as an investigator in the Family Crimes Unit and was most recently assigned as an investigator in the Property Crimes Unit.

Damewood was commended for his exemplary actions on multiple occasions, receiving the Officer of the Month recognition three times. He was named the Officer of the Month in December 2017 for his efforts to arrest a suspect who had committed multiple home burglaries on his beat. In January 2010, he received the Officer of the Month recognition for his diligence on an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a suspect involved in two armed robberies. Finally, he was recognized as the July 2000 Officer of the Month based on his work to identify the suspect of a hit-and-run involving a child riding a bicycle on Virginia Avenue.

Throughout his career, Damewood was commended by his supervisors as a hard-working, passionate officer who was dependable, professional and knowledgeable. Damewood distinguished himself as a leader on the units he served, was held in high regard by his peers, citizens, and supervisors alike, and was widely recognized as a role model for other officers.

“Our entire department is devastated by the loss of Officer Damewood,” Chief of Police Eve Thomas said. “Jeff was a dedicated and passionate police officer but, more importantly, he was a special father, husband and friend, and an incredible human being. Our hearts are broken and we will miss Jeff dearly.”

“Over the past year, we watched and supported Jeff as he went through the most challenging battle of his life,” Thomas added. “As only Jeff could, he fought valiantly and courageously. And despite the trials and tribulations Jeff faced, he continued to do what he loved: serving the community as a KPD officer. He truly loved this department and this community, and the impact of his loss is immeasurable.”

In honor of Jeff’s memory, KPD officers will wear mourning bands over their badges for the next five days. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.

Posted by serland On 27 September, 2021 at 9:24 AM