[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 208 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING KNOXVILLE CHIEF OF POLICE EVE THOMAS' RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TIM BURCHETT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2021

  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Knoxville Police Chief 
Eve Thomas, who recently announced her retirement after nearly 30 years 
in law enforcement.
  Chief Thomas joined the Knoxville Police Department in 1993. She 
served in many capacities, including as a Patrol Officer, Problem 
Solving Instructor, Field Training Officer, and a Domestic Violence/
Terrorism Instructor at Walters State Community College.
  In 1998, she was promoted to Sergeant and served as an Accreditation 
Manager, Patrol Sergeant, and Personnel Sergeant.
  Chief Thomas was promoted again in 2005 to the rank of Lieutenant. 
With this promotion, she assumed administrative responsibilities of 
KPD's specialty units, including the Crisis Negotiation Unit, Special 
Operations Squad, K9 Unit, and several others. She was critical to all 
these units' operations and, as a result of her reliable performance, 
Chief Thomas was given additional responsibilities as Patrol 
Lieutenant, Central Business District Supervisor, and Traffic Services 
Supervisor.
  In 2011, Chief Thomas achieved the rank of Captain and gained 
supervision of KPD's Support Services Division.
  In 2013, she was assigned to the Patrol Division as East District 
Commander, and then served as Commander of the Department's Internal 
Affairs Unit and the Criminal Investigations Division.
  In February 2018, Chief Thomas was promoted to Deputy Chief over the 
Criminal Investigation Division. Four months later, she became the 26th 
Chief of Police and the first woman to hold the top position at the 
Knoxville Police Department. She has served in this position ever 
since.
  Chief Thomas dedicated her career to protecting the people of 
Knoxville. I thank Chief Thomas for her service. I wish her the very 
best in her retirement.

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