Below are the winners for the Mike Waggoner Leadership Award, Officer of the Year, Employee of the Year and Explorer of the Year.
KPD Hopkins Receives Mike Waggoner Leadership Award
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.
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Walker, Stryker, Glover Named 2021 KPD Officers of the Year
West District patrol officer Tim Walker and Organized Crime Unit investigators Brandon Stryker and Brandon Glover were presented with the 2021 Officer of the Year Award on Tuesday at the Knoxville Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.
“We were honored to recognize these three outstanding officers as our 2021 Officer of the Year recipients,” Chief Eve Thomas said. “The character, dedication and professionalism exhibited by Officer Walker and Investigators Stryker and Glover reflect great credit on the Knoxville Police Department. Their outstanding and selfless service on behalf of the citizens of Knoxville is appreciated.”
West District patrol officer Tim Walker, who has been with the KPD since March 2005, was selected as a co-recipient of the 2021 Officer of the Year Award based on the sheer totality of his actions throughout the year.
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KPD Morris, Payne Named 2021 Employees of the Year
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Digital Forensic Analyst Shannon Morris and Grants and Planning Manager Stacey Payne were announced as the co-recipients of the 2021 Employee of the Year Award on Tuesday at the Knoxville Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.
“Both Shannon and Stacey are incredibly dedicated and passionate employees who made significant contributions to the Knoxville Police Department and the Knoxville community in 2021,” Chief Eve Thomas said. “They are entirely deserving of this recognition.”
Morris, who is recognized as a subject matter expert in the technical examination of digital evidence from electronic devices, was selected to receive the 2021 Employee of the Year Award for the critical role she played in the resolution of the Desheena Kyle case.
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Beatty Named 2021 KPD Explorer of the Year
Alexander Beatty was recognized as the 2021 Explorer of the Year on Tuesday at the Knoxville Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.
Beatty has been with the KPD Explorer Post since February 2016, when he graduated from the Basic Explorer Academy. Since that time, Beatty has stood out from his peers thanks to his hard work and willingness to serve. As Beatty has advanced through the Explorer Post, he has been placed as the Squad Leader over Squad 1. In that capacity, he has exhibited strong leadership skills by coordinating Explorer volunteer hours and ensuring attendance at bi-weekly meetings.
In 2021, Beatty donated over 450 hours to the Knoxville Police Department and the community. As part of those hours, he volunteered to work every home UT football game, other traffic events and assisted with the Explorer Academy. He was commended by his supervisor for attending every meeting, asking relevant questions and making suggestions to improve the post.
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