August 13, 2014 - Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Sgt. Chris Bell the May Officer of the Month. Sgt. Bell has been with the department since November 1994. 
 
Chief Rausch said that in May we received an email from a citizen who expressed her gratitude for Sgt. Bell's actions in saving the life of an elderly female in medical distress. The citizen indicated she was attending an open house for a new business in north Knoxville when an elderly woman began choking.

Sgt. Bell, who was attending the event with his wife, was waved down by a family member of the ailing woman. Sgt. Bell calmly but quickly confirmed the lady was choking and that her airway was blocked. Sgt. Bell then performed the Heimlich maneuver, which immediately dislodged the piece of food that had obstructed her airway. The woman gasped for air and began crying. Sgt. Bell then assisted the victim into the business and stayed with her until she had calmed down and was able to return home.

Chief Rausch said, "We commend Sgt. Bell for his quick actions in helping to save the life of a person who was in obvious distress."

"We also thank the citizen for alerting us to this incident. Because Sgt. Bell was not looking for any type of acknowledgement, his actions would have gone unrecognized without the citizen taking her time to express her appreciation for his efforts," Chief Rausch concluded.