Knox County Sheriff - Sheriff J.J. Jones
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Knoxville-Knox County Peace Officers' Memorial Service
The annual Knoxville-Knox County Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will be Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Mary Costa Plaza at the Civic Coliseum. Former Knoxville Police Department Chief of Police Sterling Owen, IV will be delivering the keynote address. All law enforcement agencies from the Knoxville area will remember the service of peace officers who passed away from May 2011 until the present. Families of the officers will be escorted to a memorial wreath where they will place a flower in memory of their loved ones.
This is a truly collaborative effort with all the law enforcement agencies from Knoxville-Knox County participating in the program: Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, University of Tennessee Police, Tennessee Highway Patrol, TBI, FBI, and support from the Fraternal Order of Police Volunteer Lodge Number 2.
Nationally, May 15th is designated National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week containing May 15th is National Police Week. President John F. Kennedy signed it into law in 1962.
Sheriff to Give Special Award to Cold Case Unit
Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones will recognize the combined KCSO and KPD Cold Case Investigations Unit for its work on solving a 26 year old homicide in April. He will award the unit a plaque on Wednesday, May 2 in the Sheriff’s Office at 11:00 a.m. Forty-five year old Billy Ray Hill of Knoxville was indicted for first degree murder in the death of Bobbie Lou Hill as a result of the unit’s investigation.
“Each member of the team displayed excellence and professionalism during the homicide investigation,” said Sheriff Jones. “This was truly a team effort and the case was solved because of cooperation and hard work.”
The Cold Case Unit is comprised of Assistant Chief David Davenport, Detective Dorothy Barnes, Detective Sarah Jane Quindry, KPD Detective Jeff Day, Detective Edd Stair and Criminal Analyst Amy Dobbs.
The Cold Case Unit was established by Sheriff Jones in 2008 to reconsider unsolved homicides by re-examining the case file, re-interviewing witnesses and suspects and reprocessing old evidence by applying modern innovative technology. KCSO and KPD combined their Cold Case Units in 2011.
Sheriff Jones will also recognize Roy Kruse with a Citizen Service Award for his service to the community.
5th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial 5K
The 5th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial 5K will be held on May 12th at 8:00 a.m. at Volunteer Landing. Proceeds of the event benefit the establishment of a law enforcement memorial in Knoxville. If you do not register early, you may register from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on the day of the race. Pre-registered runners are guaranteed a commemorative t-shirt. Day-of-race runners will receive a t-shirt while supplies last. The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. Awards will follow at 9:30 a.m. You do not need to be affiliated with a law enforcement agency to participate. For more information or to register online, please visit http://www.knoxlemr.com.
