Knoxville Police Department Lieutenant Sammy Shaffer was announced as a recipient of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security First Responder Recognition Award on Thursday, September 10. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and local restrictions, the award was announced during a live-streamed event this morning on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Facebook page.  

The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security First Responder Recognition Award is presented to select first responders from various emergency response professions across the state for their outstanding and/or heroic actions while serving the people of Tennessee.  

Shaffer was presented the award for his active and engaged approach in the planning, prevention and response to events, his outstanding leadership in the implementation of a Rescue Task Force program throughout the district, and his efforts in developing training, and managing and evaluating exercises for the response of public safety officers to active shooters or other active events. Additionally, he was recognized for serving in a leadership role during several recent large-scale emergency events, including the recycling plant fire that occurred in downtown Knoxville last year.   

Shaffer has been with the Knoxville Police Department since October 2001 after previously serving the community as a Knoxville Fire Department firefighter and EMT. He took his oath of office in April 2002 following his graduation from the recruit academy.  

He has served the KPD and the Knoxville community in a number of capacities during his tenure, including as a patrol officer, support services personnel and as a patrol supervisor. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2010 and later promoted to Lieutenant in June 2018.  

Shaffer recently took over as the KPD’s Training Director, stepping into that role in January 2020. He also serves as the commander of the Bomb Squad. Shaffer was selected as the KPD’s Officer of the Year in both 2005 and 2017.  

He previously served as the Department’s Homeland Security Coordinator. In that role, Shaffer coordinated training, procedures, response and activities pertaining to the prevention of and protection from man-made, technological and natural events. He also served as a liaison between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.  

The video from the 2020 Three Stars of Tennessee Award and First Responder Recognition Ceremony can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=320530425674675&extid=HWDVgazt1L0JJZT7.