KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As of Thursday afternoon, the Knoxville Police Department said two of its officers were arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence in separate instances.
KPD said Officer Adam Parnell was arrested by the Jefferson City Police Department on the suspicion of driving under the influence after a traffic stop just after midnight while off-duty and in his personal vehicle.
According to a warrant obtained from Jefferson County, a Jefferson City officer saw Parnell's car driving slowly in the middle of the road. The officer followed Parnell and watched him speed up, slow down and drift toward the right lane multiple times.
The officer stopped Parnell after his car drifted into the right lane and almost hit a car beside him, according to the warrant. The officer could smell "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" and Parnell said he had a few drinks. His eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred.
According to the warrant, Parnell struggled to open the car door and "nearly fell out of the vehicle headfirst" when asked to do a field sobriety test, which he "performed poorly on all tests given."
He was taken to JCPD and "refused to provide a breath sample for chemical testing," violating implied consent law, according to documents. He was then taken to the Jefferson County Jail.
According to a KPD press release, Parnell has been with the department since 2008 and was assigned to the Patrol Division.
Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel said, “Police officers take sworn oaths to uphold the laws and, by virtue of that, they should be held accountable to the highest possible standard. The alleged actions of Officer Parnell fall well short of that standard and the expectations that I have for KPD officers. We are continuing to gather information and will take the appropriate course of action to address this situation as quickly as possible.”
Shortly after sharing Parnell’s arrest, KPD said it learned Officer John Morris was arrested by the Pigeon Forge Police Department on the suspicion of driving while under the influence.
Morris was arrested after he was stopped for speeding while off-duty and in a personal vehicle, according to a release. He was accompanied by another off-duty KPD officer, who was not arrested and released from the scene.
According to a warrant obtained from Sevier County, Morris "smelled of alcohol, had glassy eyes, and admitted to drinking." He also showed signs of impairment during a field sobriety test.
Morris was read the Tennessee Implied Consent Law and refused, according to documents.
KPD said Morris has been with the department since March 2021 and was assigned to the Patrol Division.
Noel issued a statement, saying, “Quite frankly, I am furious and at a loss for words. The alleged actions of these officers run in complete opposition to our mission and values as a department. Effective immediately, we are suspending the police powers for both officers and they will be reassigned from the Patrol Division to an administrative assignment as we continue to gather information. We will work swiftly to comprehensively and definitively handle this matter.”
KPD said the Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an investigation pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Noel said the department is suspending the police powers for both officers and reassigning them to an administrative assignment as it gathers information.