An investigation is underway after a man drowns after jumping off the Fort Dickerson Park Overlook.

It happened Friday night when the Knoxville Fire Department was called to the scene after witnesses say the man had jumped from the top portion of the park into the waters below.

KFD says a friend of the man who jumped into the quarry was attempting to dive in to rescue him when they arrived.

His body was found Saturday morning by members of the Rescue Squad using divers and an underwater robot.

They confirmed he had died by drowning.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is investigating numerous vehicle burglaries.

The suspect vehicle involved in those burglaries was recovered abandoned in the Halls area off Emory Road near Maynardville Highway last night (Thursday), it was reported stolen last month.

Numerous firearms along with personal identifying information were stolen in the series of vehicle burglaries which began near the end of September.

Police reminding you to remove firearms and other valuables from your vehicle.

If you have any information, please contact KCSO.

A memorial service for Gibbs High School Graduate Army Specialist Jeremy Evans who died in Alaska when a transport vehicle flipped is scheduled.

Evans was one of the two soldiers killed. His unit has planned the service for Monday at 4 p.m. at Fort Wainwright.

He will be brought back to Knoxville but no date has been set yet for a service here.

KCHD, Partners to Observe Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day 

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Knox County Health Department and several community partners are holding their seventh observation of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16 at Lakeshore Park’s Marble Hall. This day was created to provide awareness of those who have lost an infant or pregnancy.  

“As we strive to prevent infant loss, it is important that we create space for families who have experienced this tragedy to remember their babies and feel the support of the community around them,” said KCHD Program Manager Amber Ford. “No matter how short their lives, these babies are precious and well loved.” 

All those who have been touched by this loss are encouraged to drive through and view a special display of signs and luminaries remembering babies lost. There will also be an opportunity for families and loved ones to park their cars and gather at Marble Hall to be in community with other families. Every family will receive a gift, including a candle and luminary to place at their home in remembrance of their loved one.   

The event is made possible by support from Project Gabriel, the University of Tennessee Medical Center, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, the Precious Prints Project, and the East Tennessee Regional Health Office.  

KCHD also encourages families to participate in the Wave of Light that will take place across the world in memory of these losses. To do this, please safely place a candle or luminary in a place that is visible outside your home or in a window at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15. If you wish, you may send a picture of your luminary to [email protected]. 

To reserve your candle and luminary at the event, please register at https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/events. For more information, please call the Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5170. 

KPD NEWS RELEASE: KPD Completes FARO Scan in Connection to 1989 Murder of KPD Officer Tony Williams

The Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation into the 1989 murder of KPD officer Tony Williams, which was recently reinvigorated with new evidence.  

On July 7, 1989, KPD patrol officer Tony Williams was shot and killed while riding his motorcycle on Cherry Street near I-40. Williams was off duty at the time of the murder.  

The investigation has remained open and active since 1989, though no suspects have been convicted for his murder.  

On the morning of Thursday, September 28, KPD closed portions of Cherry Street near I-40 to complete a FARO forensic scan of the area as part of the ongoing investigation. FARO scanners are utilized by forensics specialists to capture comprehensive and detailed 3D images of crime scenes that are later used in prosecution.  

The investigation is being assisted by the Knoxville Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

“It’s been almost 35 years since Officer Williams was murdered, which has left Tony’s family and our department without any real closure,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “Our detectives have been aggressively working the case in recent years, and they have made significant progress over that time. I urge anyone with information that could potentially assist our efforts to bring closure to Tony’s family to contact the Homicide Unit.”   

Anyone with information that could potentially assist the investigation can contact Homicide Unit Sergeant Rodney Patton directly at 865-215-7022.