Blog: KPD News & Alerts

Patrol Officer Tim Walker and OCU Investigators Brandon Stryker and Brandon Glover Named 2021 Office

West District patrol officer Tim Walker and Organized Crime Unit investigators Brandon Stryker and Brandon Glover were presented with the 2021 Officer of the Year Award on Tuesday at the Knoxville Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.

“We were honored to recognize these three outstanding officers as our 2021 Officer of the Year recipients,” Chief Eve Thomas said. “The character, dedication and professionalism exhibited by Officer Walker and Investigators Stryker and Glover reflect great credit on the Knoxville Police Department. Their outstanding and selfless service on behalf of the citizens of Knoxville is appreciated.”

West District patrol officer Tim Walker, who has been with the KPD since March 2005, was selected as a co-recipient of the 2021 Officer of the Year Award based on the sheer totality of his actions throughout the year.

Walker was twice selected to receive Officer of the Month distinctions in 2021. He was first picked to receive the award in February 2021 for his role in de-escalating a situation involving a 10-year-old boy in emotional and mental distress. He was picked again to receive Officer of the Month honors in March 2021 for his response to an in-progress armed robbery. On March 1, 2021, Walker responded in just minutes to an armed robbery call at the Buddy’s BBQ on Kingston Pike and was able to quickly and peacefully take the armed suspect into custody.

Additionally, in July 2021, Walker was involved in an investigation that resulted in the arrest of an individual who robbed a 91-year-old woman outside of a business on McKamey Road.

Though it did not happen in 2021, Walker’s bravery and selflessness was once again on display in February 2022. On February 26, Walker was on his way to work and stopped at the BP gas station on Strawberry Plains Pike for a cup of coffee. When he pulled into the parking lot, he saw a woman running from the store and a man inside of the store waving a gun. Walker took immediate action, entered the store alone and took the suspect into custody before the situation escalated any further.

In his nomination, it was stated that, “Equally as important as the heroic acts of courage, compassion and character, Officer Walker should be recognized for the contributions he makes to the Knoxville Police Department and the community daily.”

Among a multitude of other roles, Walker is also a member of the KPD Special Operations Squad, the head Defensive Tactics instructor and a primary Field Training Officer in addition to his primary assignment as a patrol officer.

Brandon Glover and Brandon Stryker

Organized Crime Unit investigators Brandon Stryker and Brandon Glover were also presented with the 2021 Officer of the Year Award for their remarkable efforts throughout an investigation that led to the conviction of multiple violent gang members.

Stryker and Glover, who joined the KPD in 2006 and 2004, respectively, were assigned to a joint task force that included FBI Safe Streets, Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), ATF and the KPD. In that role and while focusing on interdicting a worsening trend of gang violence in the Knoxville area, Stryker and Glover led a long and involved investigation into a criminal street gang responsible for violence and drug distribution throughout the region.

In July 2021, the evidence from that investigation was presented in Federal Court, showing that several violent individuals were members of the Unknown Ghost Vice Lords street gang and one other individual was a member of the Chattanooga-based Black P Stones Bloods street gang. The evidence also showed that those gang members distributed kilos of methamphetamine and other deadly drugs in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas. Following a lengthy trial, eight individuals were found guilty of charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and weapon charges. Seven other individuals pled guilty to similar charges prior to the start of the trial.

At least three of the defendants involved in this case have since received life sentences.

The following was included in the nomination for Investigators Stryker and Glover:

“This investigation required a high level of investigative, logistical and management skills on the parts of Investigators Stryker and Glover. They led a multi-agency effort across several jurisdictions. This effort was at a great personal sacrifice as they dedicated thousands of hours to the pursuit of this criminal enterprise. Their efforts have resulted not only in the dismantling of a violent criminal conspiracy, but has directly impacted and made safer communities across East Tennessee.”

More details on the outcome of the investigation can be found here.

In the nomination, it was also stated that “both of these investigators embody what it is to be a Knoxville police officer and are an example for others to follow.”

Posted by serland On 26 April, 2022 at 1:21 PM