Twenty-nine recruits graduated from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy on Thursday, May 21, 2009.  Bruce Pearl, the University of Tennessee Men’s Head Basketball Coach was the keynote speaker.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy is in its 13th year and has now graduated 458 law enforcement officers. The class has completed eleven weeks of intense training to meet the criteria set by this Basic Police School. The officers spent much of their time learning the law, arrest procedures, community policing and physical training. They also developed expertise in the tools of the profession such as firearms, driving and defensive tactics. Each officer goes into the community with the skills and calm reason needed for such a demanding job.

Sgt. Gibson, Ofc. James Ramsey	Lt. Cowan, Ofc. Lance Shipley	Mrs. Haynes, Ofc. James Doran
Sgt. Baird, Ofc. Delanthony "Tobby"  Champion		Chf. Jones, Ofc. Preston "Broke-Off" Huddleston

Special awards were presented to James Ramsey for physical fitness, Lance Shipley for firearms proficiency, James Doran for academic achievements and two special awards—the Mark Currier Memorial Achievement Award went to Delanthony Champion and the James Kennedy Outstanding Officer Award was presented to Preston Huddleston.