Blog: KPD News & Alerts

Escaped Morgan County Correctional Facility Inmate Taken into Custody After Successful Negotiations

On the night of Saturday, January 8, the Tennessee Highway Patrol was contacted by the Tennessee Department of Correction to assist in locating 44-year-old Jason Copley, who escaped from Morgan County Correctional Facility custody. Based on the suspicion that he could be in the Knoxville area, the THP contacted the Knoxville Police Department to assist in locating Copley, whose last listed address was in Knoxville.

KPD and THP officers checked numerous possible locations in an effort to locate Copley, who was eventually found in a home in the 2800 block of Woodrow Drive. As law enforcement personnel attempted to make contact with the occupants in the home, TDOC officers were at the door when they reported hearing shots fired inside the home. Following that, at around 3 a.m., KPD Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene to begin negotiations with the suspect, while Special Operations Squad personnel responded to the scene to secure the perimeter.

After approximately three hours of negotiations, Copley agreed to peacefully surrender, exited the home and was taken into custody without further incident at around 6:45 a.m. No injuries were reported, while Copley was returned to TDOC custody.

The KPD would like to thank the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Department of Correction for their efforts and assistance to ensure the peaceful resolution of this incident.

Jason Copley

Posted by serland On 09 January, 2022 at 8:21 AM