The Tennessee Press Association recently honored Todd DeFeo with a second place award for the best news story statewide for Group III newspapers.
The story detailed two police officers that were killed June 7, 2002, during a high-speed pursuit of an armed robbery suspect. The package included a pair of stories by DeFeo – one about the fatal wreck and a second about the manhunt, which continued after the crash.
The judges, in making their decision, indicated it was a hard choice between choosing the first place winner.
DeFeo is a staff writer for The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, Tenn., a position he has held since February 2002. He has covered the courts system, local police agencies and is currently covering the local county commission.
Recently, DeFeo has begun writing a weekly column “On the Go,” covering his take on road trips, music and local happenings.
The paper is the fastest growing Gannett newspaper.