KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department held the graduation of the 2023-B Basic Recruit class on March 4. It's the same recruiting class also being that of the fallen Wisbens Antoine who died on Feb. 23.
KPD said that 19 men and women completed the six-month-long training academy.
"The members of the 2023-B Basic Recruit Class officially took their oath of office and are ready to serve the Knoxville community," KPD said.
Antoine's wife and two kids received the badge in his honor on Monday, and a moment of silence was held for the fallen officer.
On Feb. 23, Wisbens collapsed after a mile-and-a-half run conducted as part of a physical training session. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where officers with the Knoxville Police Department stood at his side along with his family.
Wisbens Antoine, 32, was in training to become a police officer. He was set to be sworn in on March 4. Instead, Chief of Police Paul Noel said he was sworn in early at the hospital. A classmate gave the oath on his behalf because Antoine could not say it himself.
A badge was then placed over his heart as he was lying on the hospital bed. His condition started deteriorating over the weekend before he passed away on Sunday. Antoine died an officer of KPD — not a recruit.
"This has obviously been a rough eight days for us. For me, personally, for this department — it's been, you know, heartbreaking in so many ways," said Noel at Monday's graduation ceremony.