City of Knoxville

NEWS RELEASES
City of Knoxville, Tennessee
Bill Haslam, Mayor

January Civilian of the Month Awarded

KPD
Officers of the Month
Civilians of the Month

March 30, 2005 - Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen awarded the January Civilian of the Month Award to John Venn. Venn is the supervisor for the Crime Analysis Unit and has been with the department since May 1996. Venn is being honored for serving as host to three students as part of a three-week long law enforcement internship.

Mayor Haslam, John Venn, Police Chief Owen

Chief Owen said that after being contacted by Grace Christian Academy about hosting the students, Venn took it upon himself to set up a schedule that would allow them as much exposure to the Knoxville Police Department and to law enforcement. John met with the students each morning and took them to meet with their respective unit or person each day. Over the three-week internship the students spent time with units throughout the department including the Forensics Unit, the Criminal Investigations Unit and the Patrol Unit.

Chief Owen said, "John personally went to great lengths to insure the students the maximum exposure to the workings of the department."

John also met with the student's parents at a City Council meeting where they were presented a certificate for recognition of their service.

Chief Owen said, "Two of the young men have already indicated they have an interest in law enforcement and the department's cadet program. We will continue to correspond with them as they near graduation."

Mayor Haslam said, "We thank John for taking the time to make the students' visit extremely productive. Because of John's hands-on involvement, the department and the city were presented in a very positive manner."

John will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief along with a free dinner from Kingston Alley Grill.

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