In July 2017, the Knoxville Police Department received a letter from Scott Roberts, Rural Metro Fire Department Battalion Chief Shift Commander, concerning the actions of KPD Officer Jacob Wilson at a serious motorcycle crash on Clinton Highway.
Based on the letter, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Chief David Rausch presented the Life Saving Award to Officer Wilson.
Chief Roberts’ letter reads:
This letter is to inform you of the lifesaving actions of Officer Jacob Wilson who stopped to assist at a motor vehicle crash on Clinton Highway.
On Monday, July 24th, 2017 at 11:58 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, and the Knoxville Rescue Squad were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle at 6931 Clinton Hwy. When RM Engine 231 arrived on the scene, they found a motorcycle with significant damage split into two parts in the middle of Clinton Highway, a vehicle with heavy damage to the passenger side that had come to rest in a parking lot, and a single Knoxville Police Department cruiser located approximately 60-70 feet south of the motorcycle and vehicle. Upon exiting the fire apparatus, the crew identified a patient lying in the street behind the cruiser with a Knoxville Police Officer providing care to the patient. The Knoxville Police Department cruiser was parked in the perfect position to provide protection for the patient while blocking traffic. While the patient was conscious and alert, he was still in critical condition due to severe bleeding from his left arm, bleeding from his left hip, and other injuries. The Knoxville Police Department Officer, Jacob Wilson, was supporting the arm and was holding direct pressure to the brachial artery stopping the bleeding. Paramedics identified several other injuries and began controlling bleeding from other wounds, while trying to get the patient loaded into the ambulance and to the hospital.
I received information from UT Medical Center that the individual survived surgery, a short stay in the ICU, and is now on a floor with a lengthy recovery in his future. The patient has survived to this point, due to the efforts of the individuals on the scene, but in particular, Officer Wilson. Officer Wilson’s willingness to get involved, his desire to serve and protect, and his ability to seamlessly merge into the team of professionals working to save a life is a testament to him and to the Knoxville Police Department. The quick actions Officer Wilson took to stop the bleeding from the arm made a huge difference in the survivability of this crash. Rural Metro Fire Department and I wanted to express our gratitude to Officer Wilson and pass praise to his supervisors, to acknowledge the outstanding work performed on the side of the road on a hot summer day.
Regards,
Scott Roberts
Battalion Chief Shift Commander, Knox County
Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.