Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen today named Officer Josh Hurst the May Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Officer Hurst has been with the department since November 2003.

Chief Owen said that on May 6, 2007, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Officer Hurst was assigned to conduct DUI enforcement when he observed a vehicle driving erratically through the intersection of Summit Hill Drive and Central Avenue. The vehicle nearly struck another motorist then continued west on Summit Hill Drive at a high rate of speed. Officer Hurst conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, which contained three occupants.

The driver of the vehicle advised Officer Hurst that he did not have a driver's license. As a result, the driver was immediately placed into custody. While placing the suspect into custody, Officer Hurst observed a large amount of cash bulging from the driver's front pants pocket. A large quantity of crack cocaine was discovered concealed in the left pocket of the suspect's under shorts.

The two remaining occupants of the vehicle were also detained for questioning. Officer Hurst discovered that the occupants of the vehicle were all armed with fully loaded and chambered handguns.

 Items recovered from the occupants and the vehicle included:

· Three handguns (Tech 9, Berretta .40, Firestorm 9mm)
· $2,158.00 from the driver
· 22 grams of crack cocaine
· 17.5 grams of marijuana
· 5 car stereo amps
· 2 car CD playersSuspects charged:· Brian Blair (Driver): Theft, Unlawful Weapons Possession, Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Criminal Impersonation, Driving while Privilege Suspended
· Demetrius Grimes: Theft, Unlawful Weapons Possession
· Anthony Dean: Theft, Unlawful Weapons Possession

Chief Owen said, "When confronted with a highly dangerous situation, Officer Hurst acted quickly and professionally. These quick actions prevented the suspects from using the weapons with which they had armed themselves. It is also quite obvious that these suspects were intent on harming someone due to the nature of the their weapons and the condition in which they were discovered."

Mayor Haslam said, "We thank Officer Hurst for his actions in removing these individuals from our streets and preventing further criminal acts from occurring by these suspects."

Officer Hurst will receive a signed certificate from the mayor and chief along with a free dinner from Ruby Tuesday restaurant.