A 21 year old West Knox County man was stabbed early Thursday morning in his apartment after an argument with a friend. The incident happened at the victim’s apartment at 8623 Walbrook Drive around 12:35.  Keith Eric Allen, Jr. was stabbed once in the face with a five inch kitchen knife and at least twice more in the face with an ink pen.  He was taken by ambulance to U.T. Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Knox County Detectives arrested 32 year old Delbert Gillespie and his roommate 45 year old Karen O’Brien.  Gillespie was charged with aggravated assault and O’Brien with tampering with evidence.  Detectives said O’Brien tried to hide the knife.

Allen told officers that he was “hanging out” with the suspects and that Gillespie started arguing with him and then stabbed him.

Delbert Gillespie	Karen OBrien

Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones announced that Chief Deputy Tom Spangler will retire from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office on December 18, 2009.  “I reluctantly accepted Chief Spangler’s resignation.  His leadership skills and experience will be missed by me and the rest of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Jones.  “Tom and I started our law enforcement careers together and worked our way up the ranks.  He is deeply respected by the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.”

Chief Spangler oversees the Uniform Division, including Patrol, Detectives, and Aviation.   He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1980 where he began in Corrections, then worked in Patrol, Detectives, Metro Organized Crime, and to Patrol again when he was promoted to Lieutenant.  Spangler was named Training Director in 1996 and helped to establish the Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy.  Spangler is a helicopter pilot with instrument and commercial rating and was involved in forming the Aviation Unit in 1996.  He was promoted to Captain in 1998, to Assistant Chief Deputy in 2002 and to Chief Deputy in 2004.

“I am so grateful for the 29 years I’ve spent at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Spangler.  “The men and women I work with are like my family and I am so grateful for their friendship and support.  It has been an experience I could never have imagined.”  Spangler said he was leaving to pursue an opportunity outside of law enforcement.  “I am very fortunate to be able to take advantage of an opportunity that’s come my way and fulfills one of my dreams,” he said.

Chief Deputy  Tom Spangler	Assistant Chief  Ron Chamberlain

Sheriff Jones has named a 37 year veteran officer to take over Spangler’s duties when he retires.  Assistant Chief Ron Chamberlain who has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1972 will become Chief Deputy, a position his father previously held when he retired in 1982 after 25 years of service in the Sheriff’s Office.  Chamberlain has been Assistant Chief of Operations since 1991 and over the FTO (Field Training Officer) Command since 1994.  He began his career on Patrol, Dispatch, and worked his way to Sergeant, Captain, and then Assistant Chief.  During his tenure he has attended a variety of special law enforcement schools and mentored countless young recruits.  The Knoxville native graduated from Carter High School, and Walter’s State where he majored in Criminal Justice.  “This will be a very smooth transition when Chief Chamberlain takes the reins,” said Sheriff Jones.  “He is the logical choice for the position with his vast experience and knowledge of law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office.”

“I am honored that Sheriff Jones has given me this promotion and I am excited to start the new responsibilities,” said Chief Chamberlain.  “Chief Spangler has done a wonderful job and I intend to continue to his legacy.”