On Thursday afternoon, the Knoxville Police Department recognized and celebrated the career of Captain Sammy Shaffer, who is officially retiring after over 30 years of service to the City, including 24 years at KPD.
Captain Shaffer has been offered and accepted the position as the new Director of Public Safety at McGhee Tyson Airport.
“It’s hard to imagine our department without Sammy,” Chief Paul Noel said. “He has embodied what it means to be a Knoxville police officer and has served our department with the pride and professionalism. Like his father before him, Sammy has truly left a lasting imprint on our department.”
“While we now have the extremely difficult task of filling the void that he will leave in his absence, I am incredibly proud of
Sammy and excited for him as he enters this new chapter of his life and career. He has earned this opportunity, and I know that he will continue to be a champion for our department.”
Shaffer joined the KPD after previously serving as a firefighter at the Knoxville Fire Department. In his over two decades with KPD, he has served in numerous capacities, including as the Training Director and as the commander of the Field Operations Central District. His most recent assignment was the commander of the Special Services Division of Field Operations, where he has overseen the ongoing development of the Real Time Information Center, special event management and provided command supervision of all of the department’s special teams.
“For more than two decades Sammy Shaffer has served the people of Knoxville with unwavering dedication,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “I will miss his upbeat, can-do attitude—but I know he will still be serving our region in a different capacity at McGhee Tyson Airport. Good luck, Captain Shaffer, and thank you for your service.”
Captain Shaffer’s last day at KPD is Friday, October 31.
The KPD thanks Captain Shaffer for his years of dedicated service to our department and community, and wishes him nothing but the best in the next phase of his career.