Steve Adams of Mt. Gilead probably never dreamed his face would appear on millions of television screens one day, let alone for being the reason a missing child was found.

That’s exactly what happened to him October 29 when, just two minutes after hearing an Amber Alert for a Knoxville, TN child taken by her father, he spotted the suspect vehicle coming off Interstate 71 heading east on State Route 95. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“I thought no!,” he laughed. “What are the chances of this?”

The car had no front plate so he turned around, followed the dark sedan and, sure enough, it had a Tennessee license plate. He grabbed his cellphone and followed the car.

It all occurred after the Knoxville, TN Police Department issued an Amber Alert earlier that day for two-year-old Brooklynne Enix after her father Tyler, 36, allegedly murdered the child’s mother and left with the child. The car Enix was traveling in was last seen in Lebanon, OH when the alert was broadcast.

Adams said he was headed to his father’s farm in the Mt. Vernon area that morning and was near Flying Horse Farms on State Route 95 when heard the alert over the radio. He said it couldn’t have been two minutes later when he spotted the 2011 Chevrolet Impala described in the alert as it left Interstate 71 at the State Route 95 exit.

The former army military police officer said perhaps his training may have kicked in when he spotted the car and driver.

“I couldn’t just let it go,” he explained. “It fit the description too well.”

He called 911 and, following the car, provided directions to dispatchers until the vehicle was pulled over by deputies on State Route 314 just north of Johnsville.

Enix surrendered to authorities without incident and was transported to the Morrow County Correctional Facility. Brooklynne was confused but unhurt and turned over temporarily to Morrow County Children’s Services. Enix appeared in Morrow County Municipal Court Friday morning to waive extradition to Knoxville. The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office worked directly with the Knoxville Police Department to return him to Tennessee.

Columbus news media converged on Mt. Gilead to cover the story and the evening news featured interviews with Adams and footage of the area where Brooklynne was recovered. ABC6 in Columbus passed the story onto ABC Nightly News for all the nation to see.

On Monday, WBIR.com reported the Knoxville Police Department honored Stephen Adams. Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch presented a certificate of appreciation to Adams, who he credits as the reason Brooklynne is back in Knoxville.

“Steve represents what law enforcement expects,” said Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch, “and that’s the great collaborative between community and police.”

The news report said before he spoke to the media, Adams had a private meeting with several members of Brooklynne’s family. One of Brooklynne’s older sisters, Alexia Morrison, said it was amazing to meet ‘this hero.’

Enix has a long history of aggression, harassment and assault over the last decade and shared custody of Brooklynne with ex-wife Kimberly. WBIR reported officers were called to the Templeton Court condos in Fountain City to do a welfare check Wednesday, Oct. 28 after Kimberly, 36, did not show up for work. Just after 2 p.m., they found her dead inside her condominium, and Brooklynne was missing. Enix was charged with first degree murder after an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Adams has been bombarded with phone calls and media attention and is being called a ‘hero.’ The Sentinel’s Facebook page was inundated with messages from supporters and well wishers after the story was posted.

But Adams says what he did is what anybody should do.

“People have to get involved to stop bad people,” he said Thursday. “If we take the time and help the police do their job better, we get the ‘bad people’ off the streets.” Adams said his wife, Taffiney, a nurse at Knox Community Hospital, was in disbelief over the day’s events when he called to tell her.

Amber Alert had offered a $1,000 reward for the recovery of Brooklynne, but Adams said he’d rather see it go to the child, perhaps for her education.

Even a ‘hero’ can’t win them all, though. Adams laughed as he recalled how, after he finished talking to Sheriff’s deputies at the scene on State Route 314, he returned to his pickup truck only to find he couldn’t get in. His beagles, still in the truck, had – in their excited jumping – locked him out.

Editor’s note: The initial interview with Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman can be viewed HERE.

The October 29 interview with Steve Adams can be viewed HERE.

Reach Randa Wagner at 419-946-3010, ext. 1803 or on Twitter@MorrCoSentinel.

Reach Randa Wagner at 419-946-3010, ext. 1803 or on Twitter@MorrCoSentinel.

Steve Adams of Mt. Gilead is the Man of the Hour after spotting the Tennessee car carrying Tyler and Brooklynne Enix last week in Morrow County. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_Steve-Adams.jpgSteve Adams of Mt. Gilead is the Man of the Hour after spotting the Tennessee car carrying Tyler and Brooklynne Enix last week in Morrow County. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel

Tyler Enix appeared at an extradition hearing in Morrow County Oct. 30 with Attorneys Andrew Wick and Don Wick of Mt.Gilead. Enix waived extradition at the brief session held in municipal court before Judge Lee McClelland. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_Enix-in-court.jpgTyler Enix appeared at an extradition hearing in Morrow County Oct. 30 with Attorneys Andrew Wick and Don Wick of Mt.Gilead. Enix waived extradition at the brief session held in municipal court before Judge Lee McClelland. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel

Tyler Ward Enix, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn. was apprehended in Morrow County October 29 with his daughter Brooklynne, 2, after an Amber Alert was issued over the missing child. Enix was wanted in Knoxville for the murder of his ex wife, Kimberly. Courtesy Photo | Morrow County Sheriff’s Office
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_Enix-Mugshot.jpgTyler Ward Enix, 36, of Knoxville, Tenn. was apprehended in Morrow County October 29 with his daughter Brooklynne, 2, after an Amber Alert was issued over the missing child. Enix was wanted in Knoxville for the murder of his ex wife, Kimberly. Courtesy Photo | Morrow County Sheriff’s Office

Kimberly Enix was found murdered in her home in in Fountain City, TN on October 28 after she didn’t show up for work. Her 2-year-old daughter Brooklynne was missing, and an Amber Alert was issued. Web Photo
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_Facebook-Mother.jpgKimberly Enix was found murdered in her home in in Fountain City, TN on October 28 after she didn’t show up for work. Her 2-year-old daughter Brooklynne was missing, and an Amber Alert was issued. Web Photo

This 4-door Chevrolet Impala was the vehicle Tyler Enix drove from Tennessee after the murder of his ex-wife last Wednesday. The car was towed to the Morrow County Correctional Facility to await inspection by Tennessee authorities. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_IMG_3835.jpgThis 4-door Chevrolet Impala was the vehicle Tyler Enix drove from Tennessee after the murder of his ex-wife last Wednesday. The car was towed to the Morrow County Correctional Facility to await inspection by Tennessee authorities. Randa Wagner | Morrow County Sentinel

The story of the rescue gained national attention when it aired on ABC Nightly News last week. Web Photo
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_ABSnews1.jpgThe story of the rescue gained national attention when it aired on ABC Nightly News last week. Web Photo

Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch presented a certificate of appreciation to Adams on Monday at a press conference in Knoxville. Adams was able to meet and speak with Brooklynne’s family during the visit. Web Photo
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_Presentation.jpgKnoxville Police Chief David Rausch presented a certificate of appreciation to Adams on Monday at a press conference in Knoxville. Adams was able to meet and speak with Brooklynne’s family during the visit. Web Photo

Little girl lost – but found in Morrow County! Brooklynne is back in Tennessee with her older sisters and relatives as her father faces murder charges in the death of her mother. Web Photo
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/11/web1_ABCnews2.jpgLittle girl lost – but found in Morrow County! Brooklynne is back in Tennessee with her older sisters and relatives as her father faces murder charges in the death of her mother. Web Photo

By Randa Wagner

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