KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Three Knoxville Fire Department employees have been disciplined after a death investigator saved the life of a person wrongly believed to be dead. The state’s investigation into the incident continues.
Following the incident on July 25, 2025, the Knoxville Fire Department began an internal investigation to determine what happened. During the investigation, the three-member crew from Engine 15 was placed on administrative duty, and once the investigation was complete, they were suspended for eight days and underwent additional emergency medical services training. They have now returned to regular duties.
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“At this time, the Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services is still conducting its own investigation. Once the state completes its review, additional action may be taken depending on its findings. Because of the state’s ongoing investigation, I cannot release any more information at this time,” KFD Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks wrote in a statement.
At the time of the incident, KFD told 6 News that it was not able to confirm who initially determined that the person was dead because of privacy laws.
‘Meant to be there’ How a death investigator’s quick thinking saved person wrongly believed dead
Previously, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center told 6 News that emergency responders with KFD were dispatched to a reported medical emergency around 1:22 p.m. on July 25. Next, the medical examiner’s office responded to a report of a dead body at a home; however, when Kenzie Sellers, a Medicolegal Death Investigator, began examining the body, she noticed that the person was not actually deceased…