Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

As previously released:

On August 22, 2022 at approximately 1:00 PM, the Kingsport Police Department Traffic Unit responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the 900 block of Lynn Garden Drive in Kingsport. The subsequent investigation revealed the following:

A light blue 2020 Honda Odyssey minivan, driven and solely occupied by Darshankumar Karshanbhai Patel of Kingsport, appears to have been traveling lawfully northbound on Lynn Garden Drive, when a pedestrian, Gordon Gale Johnson of Kingsport, suddenly ran into the roadway, directly into its path, chasing after a dog.

Mr. Patel was unable to avoid a collision, and his minivan struck Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson was seriously injured in the collision and was transported by Sullivan County EMS to an area medical facility where he remains hospitalized.

This crash remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, no further details are available for release at this time.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

The Kingsport Police Department was awarded top honors in several categories. Not only did K.P.D. place first in the 101-200 officer department division, but K.P.D. was also named the “Overall Winner” as the highest scoring department in the entire Tennessee Law Enforcement Challenge. Additionally, K.P.D.’s winning entry was pitted regionally against that of the winner of a similar competition in the neighboring state of Georgia and once again, K.P.D. came out on top.

“I have always believed that traffic enforcement is one of the most important duties of a Police Officer. Not only does this make our streets safer for the motoring public, but it carries over to every other aspect of law enforcement. Arrests of dangerous fugitives wanted for serious crimes can often result from a routine traffic stop for a simple traffic violation,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “Awards such as these result from a department wide effort. I applaud the hard work and dedication of all of our officers who made these awards possible and thank them for a job well done.”

Officer Matt McGuire and Officer Aaron Grimes of the K.P.D. Traffic Unit represented K.P.D. at this year’s Lifesavers Conference in Franklin, TN with Officer McGuire accepting the three awards on behalf of the department. In addition to his duties as a Kingsport Police Officer, Officer McGuire serves as the East Tennessee Network Coordinator for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

The Law Enforcement Challenge is an annual competition designed to recognize and reward the best overall traffic safety programs across the state. Similar sizes and types of agencies are judged on their local efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about impaired driving, speeding, and occupant protection.

The winning safety programs combine officer training, public information, and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within their jurisdiction. The ultimate goal of the Law Enforcement Challenge is to save lives.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

www.KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

As previously released in May 2021, Detectives have already identified, charged, and arrested one suspect, Jonathan L. Smith, for his role in the death of Eduardo Oviedo-Velazco.

Over the course of the continuing investigation, a second suspect, Lekendrick D. Malone, has also been identified.

On July 13, 2022, additional facts of the case were presented to the Sullivan County Grand Jury, which returned a true bill of indictment, charging Mr. Malone with multiple felonies for his role in the death of Eduardo Oviedo-Velazco. A capias was subsequently issued for his arrest.

Mr. Malone’s charges include:

1) First Degree Murder

2) Felony Murder

3) Attempted First Degree Murder

4) Aggravated Burglary

On August 8, 2022, Mr. Malone was arrested in Knoxville, TN by the United States Marshals Service Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force. He was transported back to Sullivan County the following day, where he remains incarcerated in the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond. In addition to the above offenses, he is also facing Violation of Probation charges.

The Kingsport Police Department wishes to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for helping bring this wanted fugitive to justice.

This remains a very active and ongoing investigation with additional charges likely pending. As such, no further details can or will be released at this time.

As previously released:

Update: The November 15, 2020 homicide on Osage Drive in Kingsport has been under constant investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division since the date it occurred.

On April 28, 2021, the facts of the case were presented to the Sullivan County Grand Jury which returned a true bill of indictment, charging Jonathan L. Smith with multiple felonies for his role in the death of Eduardo Oviedo-Velazco. A capias was subsequently issued for his arrest.

Mr. Smith’s charges include:

1) First Degree Murder

2) Felony Murder

3) Attempted First Degree Murder

4) Aggravated Burglary

On May 22, 2021, Mr. Smith was arrested on independent unrelated charges during a routine traffic stop by the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office. Upon his release from HCSO custody, he was arrested by the Kingsport Police Department on the outstanding capias.

He was transported to the Kingsport City Jail for processing, but has since been transported to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville where he remains confined, awaiting arraignment, with no current eligibility for bond.

As this remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation with the possibility of additional charges pending, absolutely no additional details will be released at this time.

As previously released:

On November 15, 2020 at approximately 1:00 AM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a reported shooting incident at a residence in the 1600 block of Osage Drive in Kingsport. Upon arrival, Officers located Eduardo Oviedo-Velazco (26 year old adult male) inside the residence, deceased as a result of what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

K.P.D. Detectives responded to the scene, and a homicide investigation is currently underway. Based upon their findings thus far, this appears to be an isolated incident with no known immediate danger to the public at large. As this investigation remains active and ongoing, no further details are available for release at this time. Additional information will be released as it develops, but only at an appropriate point in the investigation.

Anyone who has any information related to this incident which might be able to assist Detectives with their investigation is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply 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

2) Felony Murder

3) Attempted First Degree Murder

4) Aggravated Burglary

2) Felony Murder

3) Attempted First Degree Murder

4) Aggravated Burglary

5) Also Facing Violation of Probation Charges

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career with a professional law enforcement agency are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must be a United States citizen and either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than March 27, 2023. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Following the September 11th deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming Police Applicant Testing procedures, as well as the exact date, time, and location that they are to report for testing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A WRITTEN EXAMINATION AS PART OF THIS TESTING PROCESS.

All applicants will begin the testing process with a physical agility evaluation. The physical agility evaluation will be administered on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. This session will be conducted at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport.

The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and perseverance as related to the duties of a Police Officer. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver of liability in order to be eligible to participate.

The applications of those candidates who successfully pass the physical agility evaluation will be reviewed for eligibility and suitability to move forward to the interview panel phase which will be conducted during the following week of October 3-7, 2022. General criteria to be considered for selection for an interview will be outlined in the confirmation email and letter each applicant will receive.

Those applicants with the highest combined scores on the physical agility evaluation and interview panel will then be interviewed by the Chief of Police to determine the final selections. Those ultimately selected will also be subject to a medical examination, psychological evaluation, and a thorough background investigation prior to actual hiring.

The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee has recently been increased to $18.73 per hour or $38,962 annually. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for additional salary adjustments to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific response-time requirements.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; education tuition and fitness membership reimbursements, Mission Square 401 retirement; and optional Mission Square 457 retirement.

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

22-008561 (Jaylen Blye)

22-009998 (Brileigh Johnson)

22-013694 (Breanna Fleming)

The four missing juveniles are featured in the accompanying tables and photos and include Colin Klein, Jaylen Blye, Brileigh Johnson, and Breanna Fleming.

Anyone who sees any of them, or who may potentially know where any of them can be found, is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply 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-Police

Weight

140 pounds

Unknown eye color

Brown athletic pants

Black and white shoes

Kingsport, TN

Weight

Kingsport, TN

Weight

165 pounds

Blue eyes

Kingsport, TN

Weight

Gray sweatpants

Red sandals

Kingsport, TN

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton