Straight from the Heart of a Hero: Officer of the year

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and neither is Bill Muhlfeld.

In 2004, he served as Public Safety and Emergency Management Director for a Florida county--not one of the best years in the Sunshine State.

After finishing his duties, which included managing the aftermath of three more hurricanes, Bill made the tough decision to retire, and the family decided on a change of pace.

"We moved the East Tennessee, and the rest is history," says Muhlfeld.

But the story doesn't end there.

The days of kicking back didn't last long. In 2006, Muhlfield decided to try a new challenge, and he joined the knoxville Police Department.

Two years later, another type of storm hit--this time it was man-made.

"The day Officer Rickman was shot was the worst day of my career," says Officer Muhlfeld.

On May 20, 2008, Officer Norman Rickman was shot while responding to a break in.

Officer Muhlfeld was one of several officers who responded to the call.

"I rode with Norman in the ambulance, because I'm also an EMT."

Officer Rickman lived, and for Officer Muhlfeld's efforts, and other duties well done, he was named 2008 Officer of the year for the Knoxville Police Department.

He has also been recognized by Tennessee's Department of Homeland Security.

"These are all individual honors, but it really is a team effort," says Muhlfeld.