By Jeremy Z. Young

A 17-year-old boy will face a Knox County Criminal Court Judge for his role in a burglary that ended with a Knoxville Police Officer getting shot.

Tony Dixson, 17, isn’t the one accused of shooting KPD Officer Norman Rickman May 20, but he will be tried as an adult on the charge of especially aggravated burglary.

After hearing arguments from prosecutors and Dixson’s defense attorney July 14, Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin ultimately decided to allow an adult court hear the case.

Rickman, a 19-year KPD officer, was investigating a residential alarm call on Rockbridge Lane that day when he spotted three black men coming out of a window. Rickman was shot multiple times in the chest as the men fled the scene.

Following the burglary and shooting, three individuals were taken into custody for the crime.

Cleven “Cleveland” Johnson, 26, is charged with shooting Rickman. Rickman was released from the University of Tennessee Medical Center in early June.

Following Johnson’s arrest and subsequent mug shot media appearances, more burglary victims came forward saying they recognized him. Johnson allegedly used a handgun to forcibly hold three people in a bathroom while two other men ransacked their house March 30.

In addition to three counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, Johnson faces attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. Johnson is being held on a $1 million bond.
Investigators have also charged 32-year-old James Murry with especially aggravated burglary.

At the Juvenile Court hearing, Dixson’s attorney Bruce Poston, argued that the elder criminals involved were the “dangerous ones.” He said the state could use Dixson’s testimony as a key witness in cases against the other two suspects.

In fact, Dixson is the only one of the three suspects to willingly give a statement to investigators.

Assistant District Attorney Debbie Malone encouraged Dixson’s case to be taken before an adult court, arguing that he had been offered every service juvenile court has at its disposal.

Dixson has been on probation since 2006.

While most of his previous criminal record includes traffic-related misdemeanors, Dixson was charged with public intoxication and unlawful possession of a weapon in March. Dixson has not been brought up on those charges yet, and they were not addressed at the hearing.

Poston stated that Dixson should not be housed at the county jail, because Johnson is currently being housed there.

Instead, Irwin set a $100,000 bond for Dixson and ordered him to remain at the Richard L. bean Juvenile Service Center until that bond can be posted.