Knox County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon died on Dec. 22, 2025 after a battle with pneumonia. 

“Our Knox County Sheriff’s Office family has lost a true leader, mentor and brother. Bernie was more than just our chief deputy, he was a cop’s cop, always willing to do the job right alongside our men and women, no matter his rank. He never asked anyone to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself,” Sheriff Tom Spangler said.

As a paying member of the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation, he was eligible for a grant.  On January 5, a check was presented to Bernie’s son Taylor by Foundation members Sheriff Spangler and Gary Price.

Check presentation from the Blue Knights to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation for a portion of the proceeds from the 9/11 Remembrance Motorcycle Ride held on September 8, 2019.

01/12/2019 The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) makes a $100,000 donation to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation (KPSF).  Pictured are the Knox County Mayor, Glen Jacobs,  the Knox County Sheriff, the Chief of the Knoxville Police Department and KPSF board members.

For the second year, the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club of Tennessee 111, has contributed a portion of their annual ride proceeds remembering the September 11 tragedy to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation (KPSF). The picture includes representatives of the Blue Knights and the KPSF Board at the check presentation.