June 6, 2007 - Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Police Chief Sterling Owen today awarded the department's Life Saving Award to Officer Eric Fehlman and Officer Anthony Barnes. Officer Fehlman has been with the department since December 2002. Officer Barnes has been with KPD since January 2001.

Chief Owen said that on March 24, 2007 at approximately 4:30 a.m., Officers Fehlman and Barnes responded to a request for a welfare check. The officers met with the complainant and followed her to her friend's house that was located in North Knoxville. The officers learned that the female resident had on previous occasions been a victim of domestic violence and the complainant feared her friend might have been a victim of foul play. The officers knocked several times on the door but failed to get a response. The officers discovered a broken window and feared the female may have been injured.

Chief Owen said, "The officers entered the house through the broken window in an attempt to ensure the resident was uninjured. As Officer Fehlman reached the garage area of the residence, he heard a car running within the garage. When he opened the door separating the garage from the house, he was overcome by a heavy concentration of carbon monoxide."

Officer Fehlman and Officer Barnes rushed to the vehicle where they found the female lying across the front seat unconscious. The officers immediately turned off the vehicle and removed the female to fresh air where she subsequently regained consciousness. Before being transported to the hospital, the female indicated she had been in another fight with her boyfriend and 'just wanted to go to sleep.'

Chief Owen said, "We commend these officers for their quick action which without a doubt prevented the female from perishing."

Mayor Haslam said, "The entire department recognizes these officers for their outstanding performance in saving the victim's life."

Both officers will receive a signed certificate from the mayor and chief along with a free dinner from Bayou Bay Seafood house.