The Knoxville Police Department honored its 2022 employee and officer of the year award winners on Monday at the department’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.

Four employees and one volunteer were recognized during the luncheon for their outstanding service on behalf of the KPD and dedication to the City of Knoxville.

Officers Jonathan Gomez and Austin Jordan were recognized as the 2022 Officers of the Year, while Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police Becky Kreisa was named the 2022 Employee of the Year. Andrew Beatty was selected as the KPD’s Explorer of the Year, and Sergeant Phil Major was honored with the distinguished Mike Waggoner Leadership Award.

“All five of these individuals embody what it means to be a Knoxville Police Department employee,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “Whether through their proactive efforts to make our city safer, unyielding commitment to their daily tasks, or their years of leadership and dedication, these employees possess all of the qualities that we value as an organization. I thank each of these winners for how they represent our department and help us accomplish our mission every single day.”  

Officer of the Year – Jonathan Gomez

Gomez has been with the Knoxville Police Department since 2015. He joined the KPD after an 11-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he continues to serve as a reserve.

Gomez, who currently serves as an investigator in the Organized Crime Unit, was nominated as the Officer of the Year based on the body of his work as a then member of the Community Engagement Response Team (CERT).

In 2022 alone, Gomez’s proactive efforts led directly to over 30 arrests for felony offenses and the seizure of over 20 illegally-possessed firearms.

Gomez also initiated a large-scale investigation that, paired with the work of the Organized Crime Unit, resulted in a widespread drug conspiracy case that led to the indictment of 22 members or associates of the Gangster Disciples, a well-known street gang.  

Additionally, Gomez’s efforts to develop positive, mutually beneficial relationships in the community paid dividends on multiple occasions in 2022, including in one such case that led to the safe apprehension of an individual who was wanted on charges that included aggravated assault and aggravated stalking.

In addition to his uncommon contributions as a member of CERT, Gomez also served on the department’s Mobile Field Force and as a Field Training Officer. Gomez also utilized his training in forensics to assist whenever needed. That included photographs, confiscations and inventory of items for CERT investigations to reduce the burden on the Forensics Unit. Gomez is also a fluent Spanish-speaking officer, and he assisted patrol officers and investigators as needed in that capacity.

In his nomination form, it was said that “Officer Gomez was selflessly committed to making the unit better through assisting his fellow officers with their investigations, helping train his fellow officers to utilize investigative tools he was familiar with, and taking on tasks anytime supervisors gave him assignments.”

It was also stated that, “While being assigned to CERT, Officer Gomez went above and beyond his required duties to provide excellent service to the citizens of Knoxville. I believe the reach and scope of his efforts have affected those beyond our city limits as well.”

Officer of the Year – Austin Jordan

Jordan has been with the Knoxville Police Department since 2018 and is currently assigned to the Organized Crime Unit.

Jordan, like Officer Gomez, was nominated for 2022 Officer of the Year recognition based on his exceptional, sustained efforts as a member of the Community Engagement Response Team.

Jordan’s self-initiated work led directly to a number of arrests of violent offenders. That was highlighted by the arrest of Darius Smith. On March 31, 2022, officers responded to a home on Leon Drive to investigate the disappearance of Justin Goins. There was evidence of foul play on scene and officers were able to develop a vehicle of interest. The next day, on April 1, officers received an alert that the vehicle had hit on one of the LPR cameras.

Jordan was on his way to work but had not yet began his shift when he started to circulate for the vehicle in the area of the alert. Jordan ultimately located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a stop, but the vehicle fled. After a short pursuit, Smith, who ran from the vehicle, was apprehended. The body of Justin Goins was located inside of the vehicle and Smith was ultimately charged with first-degree murder among other charges.

On June 27, 2022, thanks to his situational awareness and attention to detail, Jordan spotted the suspects of a shooting in the parking lot of a gas station on Western Avenue and took both of them into custody without incident. One of those subjects had outstanding warrants that included attempted first-degree murder. The other was also wanted on an indictment for attempted first-degree murder.

On September 7, 2022, Jordan followed up on an LPR alert in the Walter P. area. That proactive response ultimately led to the arrest of William North, who at the time was wanted on 10 outstanding warrants, including for especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated stalking.

In addition to his contributions to CERT, Jordan also served on the Mobile Field Force, Honor Guard and most recently the Bomb Squad.

In his nomination, it was noted that “Officer Jordan has proven himself to be a leader amongst his peers who requires minimal supervision, and can always be counted on to do the right thing. The combination of Officer Jordan’s positive attitude, proactive nature, commendable law enforcement knowledge base, and his desire to make a difference in his community, make him one of KPD’s top officers, and should definitely be considered for the 2022 Officer of the Year Award.”

Mike Waggoner Leadership Award – Sergeant Phil Major

Veteran Sergeant Phil Major was selected to receive the prestigious 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. Recipients of the award embody all of the characteristics that the Knoxville Police Department wants to instill in future generations of officers.

Sgt. Major has been with the Knoxville Police Department since 1993 and is currently assigned to the Organized Crime Unit as the supervisor of the Drug-Related Death Taskforce.

Sgt. Major has served the KPD in numerous capacities over the course of his career, including as a Cadet, patrol officer, patrol supervisor, Inspections Unit supervisor and the supervisor of the Repeat Offender Squad. He also previously assisted and directed the AAA Safety Patrol Trip to Washington, D.C.

In his nomination, it was noted that Sgt. Major has been a friend and mentor to generations of KPD officers, who have found in him a reliable and trusted source of knowledge and advice.

That nomination went on to say that “Sgt. Major is a calming influence in even the most stressful situation. He has been asked to perform many different functions throughout his career. He has approached them all with a positive attitude and met them with the best of his abilities. He is a representative of the Knoxville Police Department at its best. Sgt. Major is truly a leader that lets his actions speak louder than his words.”

Employee of the Year – Becky Kreisa

Becky Kreisa has served the Knoxville Police Department for over 20 years, and currently serves as the Executive Assistant to Chief of Police Paul Noel.

Kreisa was nominated based on the dedicated, professional and respectful manner in which she approaches all of her daily tasks, which includes the difficult logistical task of managing the Chief’s schedule. Kreisa also manages the Chief’s Office phone lines and represents the KPD in an extremely professional manner. Additionally, Kreisa is responsible for the distribution of important, time-sensitive department-wide communications from the Chief’s Office.

Kreisa also serves as a central point of contact for vendors, facility management and other city departments when the Chief’s Office is planning or overseeing events. In 2022, she played an essential role in the planning and execution of numerous significant public events, including the swearing-in ceremony for Chief Noel, possibly the largest promotional ceremony in department history and the annual Christmas luncheon.

Kreisa was also commended for her sharp organizational and communication skills, willingness to help, and consistent, steadying presence in the Chief’s Office.

In her nomination for Employee of the Year, it was said that “In her almost 23 years with the KPD, Becky has been unyielding in her dedication and commitment to the agency. Among the professional support staff, aside from those working overnight hours in NCIC, Becky is routinely the last one to leave every day. Becky has developed strong relationships with the members of our department, which has helped her earn the trust and respect of her colleagues and excel in her role as the Chief’s Executive Assistant.”

Explorer of the Year – Andrew Beatty

Andrew Beatty was selected as the 2022 Explorer of the Year for his outstanding dedication as the department’s most senior Explorer. Beatty routinely volunteered his time to the City of Knoxville by participating in regular Explorer meetings and assisting with special events throughout the city.

Beatty was quickly placed in a leadership position in the fall of 2022 and has since excelled in that position.

In his nomination for the award, it was said that “Explorer Beatty is extremely dependable and proactive in problem solving with his peers. Explorer Beatty is an asset to the Explorer Post and the department.”