Tenn. Officer Shot Released From Hospital
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A Knoxville police officer shot in the leg last month with a 12-gauge shotgun thanked his fellow officers, caregivers and the community for their support as he was released today from a hospital.
Officer Andrew Olson, who has been with the Knoxville Police Department for two years, was shot in the upper right leg after stopping the driver of a stolen car in North Knoxville.
Olson, 27, was shot as he exited his cruiser about 11 a.m. Feb. 26. He has been in the University of Tennessee Medical Center since the shooting.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank my KPD family, the incredible staff at UT Medical Center, and most importantly, the Knoxville community for your tremendous outpouring of support during the past 10 days," Olson said in a written statement. "What has been a very difficult time was made bearable due to all the support, cards, food and well-wishes from my friends and family. I still have a long and difficult road to recovery and look forward to returning to work as soon as possible."
The officer also asked that his and his family's privacy be respected as he continues to mend.
The shooting was recorded by the video camera in Olson's cruiser, but authorities declined to release it to the public. KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk said the video is part of the ongoing investigation.
Police arrested Cameron Cook, 18, a few minutes after the shooting on Washington Pike near Alice Bell Road. Cook tossed a shotgun while running away before he was captured by police.
Cook, who has a previous criminal history, is being held in jail in lieu of $710,000 bond. He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, evading arrest, theft and driving on a suspended license in connection with the officer shooting. He also faces 11 charges stemming from other incidents.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service