Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen awarded the department's Life Saving Award to Sgt. Phil Major and Officer Ron Linkins. Sgt. Major has been with the department since March 1993. Officer Linkins has been with KPD since March 1995.

Chief Owen said that on November 4, 2006, Sgt. Major and Officer Linkins encountered a male suffering from a medical emergency in a parking lot of a West Knoxville restaurant. The victim had apparently suffered a stroke and had gone into full cardiac arrest. The 55-year-old victim was lying on the parking lot pavement without a pulse and was not breathing.

Chief Owen said, "The officers immediately began CPR with Officer Linkins doing chest compressions and Sgt. Major doing mouth-to-mouth breathing for the victim. After a few cycles of CPR, the victim began shallow breathing and regained a pulse only to stop breathing once again. The two officers continued CPR until emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene and was able to transport the victim to the hospital."

Both officers accompanied the victim to the hospital and returned again the next day to check on his condition.

Chief Owen said, "It is apparent that had these two officers not reacted in the manner they did and had not immediately started CPR, the victim most likely would have died."

Mayor Haslam said, "The officers demonstrated their dedication to preserving life by reacting as quick as they did. We commend them on a job well done."

Both officers will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief along with a free dinner from Ruby Tuesday Restaurant.