Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Chief David Rausch awarded the Citation of Excellence Award to Mr. Douglas Hilton for his assistance in apprehending a robbery suspect.  

On April 7, 2017, at approximately 2:25 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery of the Family Dollar located at 1932 Magnolia Avenue.  Officers were advised by dispatch that the suspect had entered the store and displayed a firearm. The suspect demanded the employees to lie on the ground while he removed money from the registers.  When the suspect was attempting to flee the business he dropped his weapon on the floor inside the business.  Mr. Hilton heard the weapon hit the ground and believed it to be a BB gun.  As the suspect exited the business Mr. Hilton followed the suspect on foot while relaying information to the E-911 Center.  

At one point, the suspect turned and pointed the weapon directly at Mr. Hilton and demanded that he stop.  The suspect continued running and Mr. Hinton continued to follow him.  The suspect was apprehended by officers near the intersection of S. Dewey Roberts Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.  The suspect was in possession of a black bag containing the stolen money and the weapon, which did indeed turn out to be a BB gun.  

Chief Rausch said, “Mr. Hilton’s selfless act of bravery to give chase to a violent fleeing felon that had just committed an armed robbery while communicating his location to the E-911 Center ultimately resulted in the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of a violent felon.  Congratulations.  


Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.