KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Feb. 23, a Knoxville police officer 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.
KPD said his family will be at the Mynatt Funeral Home located at 2000 Powell Drive from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. on March 1 to receive friends. The police department said the public was invited to attend the receiving of friends and pay their respects. However, media coverage is not allowed.
On March 2, KPD said there will be a celebration of life service starting at 11 a.m. at First Apostolic Church of Knoxville on Pleasant Ridge Road. It will be followed by a burial.
Neither the service nor internment is open to the public or media members, but the service will be live-streamed online through the First Apostolic Church's YouTube channel.
KPD officers will also lead a procession from the church to the cemetery, traveling on Pleasant Ridge Road and turning east onto Merchant Drive before turning on Cedar Lane. The procession will then turn south on Inskip Road and then onto Adair Drive.
The public is invited to line the road and pay respects as it passes.
On Feb. 28, the lights of the Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge will also turn blue in his honor.