Veteran patrol officer J.D. Hopkins was selected to receive the Mike Waggoner Leadership Award, which is presented annually to an officer who exhibits strong passion, dedication and thoroughness while inspiring those around them to do the same. Further, recipients of the award embody all of the characteristics that the Knoxville Police Department wants to instill in future generations of officers. 

“J.D. represents everything that we want a patrol officer to be,” Chief Eve Thomas said. “He’s thorough and careful, he’s empathetic and measured, and he prioritizes the well-being of those we serve and those who serve around him. He is a worthy recipient of this honor.” 

Hopkins, who has been with the KPD since December 1999 and spent the entirety of his 23-year career as a patrol officer in the East District, was selected based on the quality of his work, his high moral standard and dedicated efforts as a leader of his patrol squad. 

Hopkins was commended for his work to maintain a high level of respect from his peers, provide help, guidance and direction for fellow officers to assist in the successful outcomes of calls for service, serve as a veteran voice of reason between supervisors and their subordinates, and provide deliberate, proactive and compassionate service to the citizens who live within his beat in the East Knoxville community. 

Hopkins has been nominated for and received Officer of the Month plaudits on numerous occasions during his career. He was most recently nominated for his actions in January 2022 after a pursuit ended peacefully with the capture of three shooting suspects and the recovery of multiple firearms. 

In his nomination, it was stated that “(Hopkins’s) guidance to his peers helps get the job done and everyone get home safe at the end of every shift” and that “the members of the East Knoxville community hold Officer Hopkins in high regard and feel that he cares for them.”