Knoxville officers who responded to discovery of dynamite honored
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department has recognized a group of officers who put themselves in harm's way when a large amount of dynamite was discovered at a recycling center last year.
Members of the KPD Bomb Squad and UAV team were presented with Meritorious Service Medals, one of the department's highest honors, during a ceremony on Tuesday with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.
How a box of explosives ended up at Knoxville recycling business
'I really appreciate the work that you all do. From time to time, whether it's dynamite on the weekend or a search-and-rescue when it's pouring rain and the men and women of KPD come out, step up, and do what it takes to get the job done safely,' said Police Chief Paul Noel.
On October 10, police responded to the CMC Recycling facility along Western Avenue where workers had been cutting the hinges off of a steel box with a blowtorch when it began emitting smoke. Fearing that it might contain explosives, people within a 3,000-foot radius were urged to evacuate.
Noel later told 6 News that officers had to wait for the fire on the box to go out before beginning the disposal process. Bomb squad technicians ultimately had to remove dynamite and blasting caps by hand.
Police chief breaks down response to discovery of dynamite at Knoxville business
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the origin of the dynamite. Agents determined that the box was originally owned by an elderly Kingsport man who previously owned a construction company. The steel box was thought to be empty before it was sold to a Kingsport recycling company and ultimately ended up in Knoxville. No charges were filed in relation to the incident.
'Thankfully, we don't have too many large boxes of dynamite that come to Knoxville and I hope we never do again,' Kincannon said. 'But when it happened, your training did kick [in] and I had so much confidence when I had the opportunity to speak to you on the scene there that you were handling everything in brave, courageous and safe ways.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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