Police Urge Parents and Pet Owners to be Cognizant of Dangers of Hot Vehicle Interiors

Posted 05-21-21.

The Sevierville Police Department (SPD) is urging parents and pet owners to be cognizant of the potential danger of leaving their children or pets in vehicles during warm weather.

Just a few minutes inside a car during the summer can become deadly. When the outside air temperature is just 85 degrees, vehicle interior temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in only ten minutes or less.

In Tennessee, it is legal to break a window if you see a child or pet in distress inside a locked vehicle. You must call 911 to inform authorities about the incident. Steps must be taken to ensure the car is locked, that the child or animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm if not immediately removed and notifying law enforcement.

In the United States, serious injuries and deaths to children and pets are reported every summer. Children should NEVER be left alone in an unattended vehicle for any length of time. KidsandCars.org notes that on average, 37 children die each year from heat-related injuries while trapped inside a vehicle. For additional information visit www.kidsandcars.org.

Traffic Advisory: Temporary Road Closure for Memorial Day Event

Posted 05-21-21.

A section of Court Avenue in front of the Sevier County Courthouse will be temporarily closed to all traffic on Monday, May 31 to facilitate a Memorial Day event being conducted by Sevier County government.

Court Avenue, between Commerce Street and Bruce Street, will be closed from approximately 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Suspect Surrenders After Standoff on Retreat Street

Posted 05-05-21.

A suspect peacefully surrendered to police officers after a two-hour standoff yesterday, May 4, 2021.

Sevierville Police Department officers responded to the home on Retreat Street at about 2:40 p.m. after a Sevier County Sheriff’s Office deputy requested assistance. The deputy was reportedly serving a civil process on 32-year old Matthew Dyke at the residence, when it was determined he had several sealed indictments against him. When the deputy attempted to place him under arrest, he went back into the residence and refused to surrender, whereupon SPD was called.

Repeated efforts by SPD officers to have the suspect surrender were unsuccessful, resulting in SPD SWAT and Crisis Negotiators responding to the scene. It was also learned that Mr. Dyke was in possession of a rifle.

Contact was made with a woman who was also inside the residence, who eventually exited and surrendered to police. She was identified as 34-year old Lauren Baker. Ms. Baker was arrested on the following sealed indictment: manufacture/delivery/sale/possession of a Schedule III substance.

After conversations with SPD crisis negotiators, Mr. Dyke exited the residence and surrendered to officers at approximately 4:40 p.m. He was arrested on the following sealed indictments: three charges of manufacture/delivery/sale or possession of methamphetamine, and three charges of manufacture/delivery/sale/possession of a Schedule III substance. He was also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and felon in possession of a weapon.

Both persons were transported to the Sevier County Jail for booking.

SPD thanks the Sevierville Fire Department and Sevier County EMS for their assistance during this incident.

SPD Records Office to Close Early Tuesday, April 27

Posted 04-26-21.

The Police Department Records Office will be closing at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, April 27 and remain closed the rest of the day. The closure is necessary to allow for required employee training. The office will reopen Wednesday morning with normal operating hours.

We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause.