‘We were like brothers’ | KPD remembers fallen officer sworn in from hospital room

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - It’s been one year since a Knoxville Police Department (KPD) recruit suddenly collapsed while completing a routine training exercise.

Wisbens Antoine was sworn in as a KPD officer from his hospital room moments before he died. It was just one week out from his academy graduation.

Previous Coverage: Knoxville police recruit dies following physical training session

“Wisbens and I were like brothers,” said KPD officer Tristants Simpson. The close friends went through the KPD training academy together.

Simpson said Antoine was nervous about his training. It was one of the last things Antoine had to complete before graduation. Simpson said he comforted Antoine that morning to try to help him shake off the nerves.

Simpson said once Antoine finished his run, he walked with his arm wrapped around him. Then, suddenly, he collapsed.

“Seeing my friend there, barely breathing. It was just heartbreaking,” Simpson said.

In the hospital, Antoine’s condition worsened. KPD leaders decided to swear in the recruit as a KPD officer. With Antoine unable to speak, they asked Simpson to take the oath on his friend’s behalf.

“Even though it was pressure, I decided to step up and be the friend he would want me to be.”

The next week, Simpson and the rest of the recruit class graduated. Now, a year later, the memory of his friend helps him through. Simpson said he tries to bring the positivity and laughter his friend brought every day.

“Whenever it gets tough, I would think, ‘What would Antoine do?” Simpson said.

Simpson said he is still very close with Antoine’s wife and children. He said they are doing well since his passing and that his KPD family has been a big support to get through the challenging times.