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KPD e-News Release KPD Accepting Applications for Upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy

SUBJECT:  KPD Accepting Applications for Upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy

DATE:  January 21st, 2025  

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department announces that applications are now being accepted for an upcoming class of the Citizen’s Police Academy.  KPD’s Citizen’s Academy is open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age and either reside or work within the city limits of Kingsport.

The Academy is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 at 6:00 PM.  Classes will then meet on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the month of March with the final class being on Monday March 24th.  Each class will run 2 to 2 ½ hours in duration.   A graduation ceremony will take place on Monday, March 31st, 2025.  

KPD emphasizes the Citizen’s Police Academy is not designed to prepare citizens to become actual police officers.  However, it will give them a chance to walk a few steps in an officer’s shoes and experience what it might be like to serve in law enforcement.  The goal is for participants to gain a better understanding of the law enforcement field.  Citizen’s Academy classes include an interesting mixture of classroom presentations, demonstrations, and hands on activities. 

Topics include:

1.         An introduction to KPD with a tour of the Justice Center.

2.         Collision and DUI investigations.

3.         Crime Scene Investigations

4.         The Bomb Squad

5.         The Police K-9

6.         Patrol Operations (to include traffic stops and building searches)

7.         Use of Force

8.         SWAT ( Special Weapons and Tactics)

The deadline to apply for the program will be Wednesday, February 10th  2025.  Anyone interested in participating in the Citizen’s Academy needs to submit a new application even if one has been previously submitted in past years.  A background check will be conducted on applicants prior to final acceptance in the program. 

To download an application please visit https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/programs_for_citizens/.  Applications may also be obtained at the Record’s Division window.  You may return completed applications by mail or drop off to the Kingsport Police Dept. Attn Professional Standards Unit 200 Shelby St. Kingsport, TN 37660.  Completed applications may also be Faxed to (423) 343-9749 or scanned and emailed to Professional Standards Lieutenant Justin McConnell at JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov.  For questions regarding the Citizen’s Police Academy please contact a member of the KPD Professional Standards Unit at (423) 229-9300.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Lieutenant Justin McConnell

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749 

JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Investigating Shooting Deaths

SUBJECT: KPD Investigating Shooting Deaths

DATE:  January 2nd, 2025 

CASE #: 24-019560

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On December 28th, 2024, at approximately 8:36 am, Kingsport Police Officers responded to 3100 block of Tiffany Court in reference to a disturbance. Prior to officers arriving, a third party entered the residence and discovered a female and male unresponsive in the floor. Officers arrived shortly after and both were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. Both suffered from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. A firearm was located inside the residence and was collected as potential evidence. The female has been identified as Mikayla Sandusky (age: 25 of Oak Ridge, TN) and the male identified as Dillion Prater (age: 27 of Johnson City, TN).

 

Their bodies will be sent to the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center of the E.T.S.U. James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City for an autopsy.

The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. This is believed to have been an isolated incident.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and more details will be released as they become available.

 

VICTIM INFORMATION

Name:  Mikayla Sandusky

Age: 25 

Gender/Race: Female/White 

Residency: Oak Ridge, TN 

Injuries: Apparent gunshot wound.

VICTIM INFORMATION

Name: Dillion Prater

Age: 27

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Johnson City, TN 

Injuries: Apparent gunshot wound

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release: Two Men Arrested Following Standoff

SUBJECT: Two Men Arrested Following Standoff

DATE:  December 28th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-019558

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On December 28thth, 2024, at approximately 7:05 am, Kingsport Police Officers were called to the 1300 block of Lawndale Circle in reference to a possible violation of a court order. Arriving officers learned that Jason Gibson (49 years of age) had violated a court order by returning to the home. Officers also discovered that Gibson had barricaded the main entry point to the home with 2×4 pieces of wood. The responding officers set up a perimeter and the KPD SWAT Team was activated.

 

At approximately 10:40 am, Jason Gibson exited the home and was placed in custody. KPD SWAT searched the residence following Gibson’s arrest for other individuals inside the home. During their search, KPD SWAT located Jason Robinson (42 years of age) hiding in the attic.

 

Jason Gibson and Jason Robinson were taken to the Kingsport City Jail for booking and processing. Gibson was charged with violation of order of protection. Robinson was charged with criminal trespassing and resisting stop/halt/frisk/arrest.

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name: Jason Gibson

Age: 49

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Charges: Violation Of Order Of Protection

 

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name: Jason Robinson 

Age: 42 

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Charges: Criminal Trespass, Resisting Stop/Halt/Frisk/Arrest

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Increases Impaired-Driving Enforcement During Holiday Season

SUBJECT: KPD Increases Impaired-Driving Enforcement During Holiday Season

DATE:  December 12th, 2024

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for the Booze It and Lose It campaign to increase impaired-driving enforcement from December 13, 2024, to January 1, 2025. The THSO’s statewide Booze It and Lose It campaign is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over mobilization to reduce impaired-driving crashes nationwide during the holiday season.

 

The Kingsport Police Department will be placing more officers on the roadways during the holiday season to look for impaired motorists and to act as a deterrence to those who may consider driving while impaired.

 

Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement, aim to drastically reduce the number of drunk-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities this year.

 

The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in the state of Tennessee may include costly fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time, mandatory drug and alcohol treatment, and/or the installation of an ignition interlock device in his/her vehicle.

 

The THSO provides grant funding to support Kingsport Police Department’s increased enforcement efforts during the Booze It and Lose It holiday campaign. For more information about the THSO, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release: Six Kingsport Police Officers Recognized

SUBJECT: Six Kingsport Police Officers Recognized

DATE:  December 11th, 2024

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On December 10th, 2024, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office recognized the efforts of law enforcement agencies at the East Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison Holiday Network Meeting and Awards in Carson Springs. Six Kingsport Police Officers were recognized at the event for their efforts promoting safety in the community.

 

Officers Emmaline Hulse and Riley Eaton-Dye received the Beyond the Stop Award.

 

Lt. Steve Summey received the Speed Enforcement Award.

 

Officer Bailey Malone received the Seatbelt Enforcement Award.

 

Cpl. Jacob Hutton received the Child Passenger Safety Award.

 

Sgt. Dustin Jackson received the Teen Driver Safety Award. 

 

The Kingsport Police Department would like to publicly congratulate these officers and thank them for their hard work in helping make Kingsport safer.

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Searching For Missing Man (Update: Found Safe)

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching For Missing Man (Update: Found Safe)

DATE:  December 10th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-018756

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Kenneth Cowden has been found safe and is no longer considered missing and endangered.

As previously released:

On December 8th, 2024, at approximately 5:37 pm, Kenneth Cowden was reported to the Kingsport Police Department as a missing person by his employer. Officers learned that Cowden has several medical issues and that he may be endangered. Kenneth was last seen on December 6th, 2024, on Federal Street in Kingsport.

 Kenneth is a 47-year-old white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He stands approximately 5’11” and weighs approximately 175lbs. Kenneth is believed to be traveling in his 2008 blue Ford Edge, license plate (470BHWD).

 Anyone with information on Kenneth’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name: Kenneth Cowden

Age: 47

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Height/Weight: 5′ 11″/175lbs 

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Last Known Location: Federal Street

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Searching For Missing Man

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching For Missing Man 

DATE:  December 9th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-018756

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On December 8th, 2024, at approximately 5:37 pm, Kenneth Cowden was reported to the Kingsport Police Department as a missing person by his employer. Officers learned that Cowden has several medical issues and that he may be endangered. Kenneth was last seen on December 6th, 2024, on Federal Street in Kingsport.

 

Kenneth is a 47-year-old white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He stands approximately 5’11” and weighs approximately 175lbs. Kenneth is believed to be traveling in his 2008 blue Ford Edge, license plate (470BHWD).

 

Anyone with information on Kenneth’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name: Kenneth Cowden

Age: 47

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Height/Weight: 5′ 11″/175lbs 

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Blue 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Last Known Location: Federal Street

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching for Runaway Juvenile

DATE:  November 22nd, 2024  

CASE #: 24-0018081

GENERAL NARRATIVE

KPD is searching for 14-year-old Dylan Keener.  Dylan is believed to have left voluntarily from his residence on Fairmont Ave. and is thought to be somewhere in the Kingsport area.  He is a white male, 5’4″ tall, weighs 120lbs, and has a tattoo of a date on one of his wrists (unknown which).   Dylan has been into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a Runaway Juvenile. 

Anyone with information on Dylan’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name  Dylan Keener

Age  14

Gender/Race Male/White 

Height/Weight 5’0″, 120 lbs 

Hair/Eyes  Brown/Green

Residency Kingsport, TN

Other Description  tattoo of a date on one wrist

Possible Clothing  Unknown

Last Known Location Kingsport, TN

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Lieutenant Justin McConnell

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749 

JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Searching For Runaway Juvenile

SUBJECT: KPD Searching For Runaway Juvenile

DATE:  November 21st, 2024 

CASE #: 24-017928

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On November 19th, 2024, at approximately 7:30 am, Yessica Lopez was reported to the Kingsport Police Department as a runaway juvenile by her family. Yessica was last seen on November 17th, 2024, at approximately 2:00 pm, on Riverside Avenue.

Yessica is described as a 16-year-old white female who stands approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.   

Anyone with information on Yessica’s current whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

 

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name: Yessica Lopez 

Age: 16

Gender/Race: Female/White 

Height/Weight: 5’4″/120lbs 

Hair/Eyes: Brown/Brown 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Last Known Location: Kingsport, TN

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

KPD e-News Release: Wise County, VA Man In Custody Following Crime Spree

SUBJECT: Wise County, VA Man In Custody Following Crime Spree 

DATE:  November 6th, 2024 

CASE #: Multiple

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On November 5th, 2024, at approximately 4:44 am, Kingsport Police responded to an SUV crashed into the front of Price Less Foods (4320 W. Stone Drive). Arriving officers located a 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee which was driven through the front wall of the store. During their investigation, officers learned the Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from the parking lot of the business. While investigating the stolen vehicle and crash, officers were dispatched to a gas line rupture at Scooter’s Coffee (105 Port Drive) which is located directly across from Price Less.  It was discovered the Jeep Cherokee in the crash was driven by a white male to the location where he damaged the gas line. Upon rupturing the gas line, the male then proceeded to fire a flare gun toward the leaking gas to catch the building on fire. Kingsport detectives were called to both scenes to investigate.

 

At approximately 7:27 am, officers were dispatched to the area of Watterson Street in reference to vandalism to a vehicle. Responding officers learned that a white male had broken the windows on a 2003 white Pontiac Grand Am, a 2003 white Buick Le Sabre, and a 2007 red Mercury Montego. Various items were taken from two of the three vehicles. While officers investigated the incident, a white male later identified as, Tristan Sexton, put purple paint on a Kingsport Police Car and wrote obscene messages on the car. Officers obtained a description of Sexton from witnesses, which also matched the description of the male who had burglarized the vehicles on Watterson Street.

 

At approximately 8:32 am, officers located Sexton near McDonald’s (4300 W. Stone Drive). As officers approached Sexton, he fled on foot. Sexton was apprehended after a foot chase and was detained. Officers observed purple paint on Sexton’s right hand and located property from the auto-burglaries on Watterson Street in his backpack. A marijuana grinder was also located on Sexton’s person.

 

After reviewing video from Scooter’s and Price Less Food’s, Kingsport detectives determined that Sexton was the same individual who stole the 2014 gray Jeep Grand Cherokee, attempted to set fire to Scooter’s, and drove the stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee into Priceless Foods. Sexton was arrested and booked into the Kingsport City Jail before being taken to the Hawkins County Jail. Sexton was charged with two counts of felony vandalism, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, two counts of auto-burglary, attempted auto burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and other charges are pending.

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name: Tristan Sexton

Age: 24

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Wise, VA 

Charges: Felony vandalism x2, attempted arson, motor vehicle theft, misdemeanor vandalism, evading arrest, auto-burglary x2, attempted auto burglary, drug paraphernalia

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee