Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Chief David Rausch today named Captain John Kiely the December Officer of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department.  Captain Kiely has been with KPD since December 1998.

On December 14, 2016, at approximately 3:19 p.m., Captain Kiely observed a black SUV with two occupants in the parking lot of Gold’s Gym located at 8445 Kingston Pike.  The occupants appeared to be scoping the parking lot and not in the process of patronizing any of the businesses that are in the area.  After keeping surveillance on the vehicle for several minutes, Captain Kiely requested a marked unit to respond to that location.  The two then approached the SUV in order to make contact with the occupants and to determine their motives for being present at the location.

Upon contact, the two occupants were found to have just completed a large exchange of illegal drugs.  A subsequent K-9 sniff and search discovered roughly 85.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 32.4 grams of suspected heroin, along with various pills discovered between the driver and the vehicle.  Also inside the vehicle were three firearms with ammunition, at least one of which was in a readied position in the center console. More than $2,400.00 was also found on the driver.  The driver was discovered to currently be on probation and had multiple felony convictions on his criminal history.  

Chief Rausch said, “The observance, contact, and good follow-up displayed by Captain Kiely was critical in establishing that the couple was suspicious in nature.  Following through on that information resulted in a sizable drug seizure.  In addition, a potentially dangerous felon that was armed with multiple handguns was taken off the street.”

Click here to view a listing of KPD award winners.