Contact: Kimberly Glenn, Communications Director
At approximately 10:57 pm on July 5, 2022, Officers were on a call in the 8200 block of Brickyard Road in Powell. As Officers were outside the residence, a large pit bull came around the trailer attacking Officer Lydia Driver. In an attempt to subdue the pit bull Officer Driver’s Partner Officer Jordan Hurst discharged his duty weapon, inadvertently striking Officer Driver in the left leg. Officer Driver was transported to The University of Tennessee Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery. Officer Driver is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit.
Sheriff Tom Spangler wishes to thank the Knoxville Police Department for their assistance and the entire staff at UTMC. Additionally, he asks that the community continues to pray for Officer Driver and her full recovery as well as her entire shift.
“Law Enforcement is a dangerous profession; it is unpredictable. Officers deal with people and situations the average person will never experience in their lifetime. This incident is unfortunate, but we will get through it together. We are blessed to serve a community who loves and appreciates our men and women; for that, I’m grateful.”

-Tom Spangler, Sheriff