Written by: Hayden Kobza
At the 2024 Collegedale Police Banquet, held Feb. 15 at the Chattanooga Elks Lodge, one of the department’s canine officers, Maxim, received a certificate from the American Police Hall of Fame. A second canine officer, Krino, was also recognized.
According to the awards panel, the heroic actions occurred on two occasions, leading to recognition of the two dogs and their human partners.
On Dec. 18, 2023, Collegedale Police Officer Albert Hasting stopped a vehicle being driven by an individual with a suspended license. Corporal Chase Watson, Officer Shawn Lewis, and canine Maxim assisted during the stop and investigation. Maxim made a positive alert of drug paraphernalia on the individual, which the officers checked. They made a drug charge after finding heroin.
The police officers involved received the General Commendation Award from the American Police Hall of Fame. Maxim was awarded the special citation of the American Police Hall of Fame for his outstanding and loyal service.
The awards panel also recognized outstanding service that took place on May 18, 2023, when Officer Derrick Saxe pulled over a vehicle with a violation. Upon further inspection with assistance from his canine partner, Krino, Saxe found narcotics and a gun in the vehicle. Because the driver had shown signs of intoxication, Saxe administered a sobriety test that led to multiple charges, including felony possession of methamphetamines, marijuana, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Because of the assistance from Krino and the service of Saxe, the panel mentioned that the American Hall of Fame merit award for excellent arrest was given to Saxe.
According to the City of Collegedale website, the annual banquet has been held since 2020 “to honor the hard work and dedication of Collegedale’s [police officers].”
Chief of Police Jack C. Sapp III began the event by recognizing as special guests Collegedale city commissioners, Hamilton County commissioners, State Representative Greg Vital, City Manager Wayon Hines, Assistant City Manager Michelle Toro and Judge Jay Underwood.
After opening remarks by Corporal Josh Parson, the officers recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then listened to a rendition of the American national anthem by Trooper Sammy Previlus with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Before the award ceremony, retired Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy and current chief operating officer for Hamilton County, in a convocation speech, reminded officers that “Nobody achieves anything great by themselves.” Roddy said the community and families that support police officers are just as important as those who serve. As if to illustrate the point, Sapp said sheriff deputies were at that moment keeping watch over Collegedale so police officers could attend the event.
Quoting the department motto, which is “Service Before Self,” Roddy acknowledged the sacrifice of personal and family time that police officers often make in order to protect others.
In his closing remarks, Sapp spoke with emotion about his appreciation for the department and all the officers’ hard work to keep the City of Collegedale safe.
CORRECTIONS: The original version of this story contained two errors. Sammy Previlus, a trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, was incorrectly identified as an officer. The Collegedale Police Department’s motto was incorrectly written as “to protect and to serve.” Its motto is “Service before Self.” The Accent corrected these errors soon after learning of them. We are committed to accuracy and apologize for these mistakes.
