[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 136 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PAYING TRIBUTE TO CHIEF ROBERT KNOX ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 
              AS THE CHIEF OF ZIONSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2020

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert 
Knox on the occasion of his retirement as the Chief of the Zionsville 
Police Department. Chief Knox has spent the last thirty-five years 
serving and protecting the people of Zionsville, including the last 
nine as Chief of Police. For the entirety of his career, Chief Knox was 
dedicated to his true calling as a public servant, rising through the 
ranks of the police department. The people of Zionsville and Indiana's 
Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Chief Knox's 
commitment to the law and the protection of the City of Zionsville.
  Robert Knox grew up on the west side of Boone County where he 
attended Western Boone High School. Upon his graduation, Robert 
attended Vincennes University where he completed a four-year 
apprenticeship as a pipe fitter. During this time, Robert became a 
reserve officer for the Zionsville Police Department following in the 
footsteps of his father Darrel who was a military police officer. This 
is when he says he discovered his true calling as a police officer. 
Following his discovery, in 1982, Robert was offered a full-time job 
with the Lebanon Police Department. He graduated from the Law 
Enforcement Academy and on September 15, 1984, then returned to 
Zionsville to begin his career as a Zionsville Police Officer.
  Robert fell in love with the community he was serving, getting to 
know the people and becoming a well-known community figure. His friends 
and colleagues know how adamant he is about getting out of his patrol 
car and getting to know the people he served and protected. Through the 
years, Robert rose through the ranks within the department. After his 
start as a patrolman, he advanced to detective, detective sergeant, 
detective lieutenant and captain in charge of the Criminal 
Investigations Division. During his time with investigations, Robert 
spent time assisting the Metro Drug Task Force, the Boone County 
Homicide Task Force and the Hamilton Boone County Joint Task Force. In 
2011, after spending years serving and protecting the people of 
Zionsville, Robert was promoted to his role as Chief of Police.
  As the chief of police, Robert continued his dedication to community 
engagement through programs such as ``Coffee with a Cop,'' the Teen and 
Citizens academies, the Drug Take Back program and more outreach 
programs all aimed at building a strong relationship with the 
community. Chief Knox had many successes during his tenure as the chief 
of ZPD, including adjusting to a growing city. As the population 
increased, Chief Knox adjusted to the growth by adding officers and 
reinstating the department's K-9 unit. When Chief Knox was sworn in, 
the department had 25 full time employees and today the department has 
38 full time officers, a 50% increase. Chief Knox's tenure also 
including partnering with Zionsville Community Schools to establish the 
School Resource Officer Initiative.
  Chief Knox made a remarkable impact on his community and the lives of 
his friends, family and colleagues. He has truly left a legacy of 
success in the community of Zionsville arid in the Fifth District of 
Indiana that will be built upon for years to come. On behalf of the 
City of Zionsville and the Fifth District of Indiana, I congratulate 
Chief Robert Knox on his extraordinary career and I extend my gratitude 
for all the wonderful contributions he made to our community. I wish 
the very best for Chief Knox and his entire family in whatever endeavor 
he takes on next.

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