February 14, 2007 - Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen named Deborah Thomas the December Civilian Employee of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Ms. Thomas has been with the department since June 2000.

Chief Owen said Ms. Thomas is currently the secretary for the Internal Affairs Unit. Ms. Thomas consistently goes above and beyond her normal duties in order to fulfill an assignment for the Internal Affairs Unit. In addition, Ms. Thomas often works late or comes in on her days off so that an investigator can meet case deadlines. This is all in addition to being called upon by other units to help prepare reports.

Chief Owen said, "Ms. Thomas is very proficient in what she does. In addition to her normal duties, she also volunteers her time to the city for special city functions at Safety City and the Training Academy. She and her husband are also graduates of the department's Citizens Police Academy."

Mayor Haslam said, "We commend Ms. Thomas in the work she does for the department and to the citizens we serve."

Ms. Thomas will receive a signed certificate from the Mayor and Chief along with a free dinner from Bayou Bay Seafood House.