KPD Memorial

Police Chief

Paul Noel
(865) 215-7000

Public Safety Complex
1650 Huron St.
Knoxville, TN 37917

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This memorial page is being presented to honor those who have gone before us.  The National Police Memorial Web site is located at www.nleomf.com


No Photo Available Chief Marshall Pesterfield
June 1862, Marshall Pesterfield was accidentally shot in the ankle by a soldier's rifle, which discharged when  dropped on the loading platform at the railroad depot. He did not have the bullet removed in time to save his life.
No Photo Available Officer William Dozier 
Officer Dozier was the first Knoxville Police Officer killed in the line of duty. He was shot in the heart while attempting to arrest a drunk at the DEW DROP INN on Gay St. in 1868  
No Photo Available Nathan Hayes
Officer Hayes was killed in the line of duty in 1869. He lost his life at the hands of Thomas Dozier, a brother of the first Knoxville Police Officer killed.   
No Photo Available George Hoyle 
Patrolman Hoyle was shot and killed on Commerce ave. by a prisoner September 21, 1890.   
Robert Saylor Robert Saylor 
Officers Saylor and Dinwiddie  were killed together. Their walking beat took them in the JONES' SALOON on Central St. on a cold December night in 1901. The two Officers went into the saloon on a pool game dispute when they saw a man choking the life out of one of the regulars. They attempted to pry the man off of the patron at which time they were both shot and the suspect, later identified as the outlaw Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan, a member of the Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, fled the scene.  
W. M. Dinwiddie W. M. Dinwiddie
Officers Dinwiddie and Saylor  were killed together. Their walking beat took them in the JONES' SALOON on Central St. on a cold December night in 1901. The two Officers went into the saloon on a pool game dispute when they saw a man choking the life out of one of the regulars. They attempted to pry the man off of the patron at which time they were both shot and the suspect, later identified as the outlaw Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan, a member of the Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, fled the scene. 
Mike Wrenn Mike Wrenn
On Wednesday January 1, 1908 at 9pm, officers Wrenn and O.L. (Bud) Jarnigan were shot and killed by a suspect while they were standing in the door way to Rena Hensley's "House of Ill Fame" located at 624 S. Central St.. The officers were attempting to take the suspect into custody for outstanding fines owed the city.  
No Photo Available O.L. (Bud) Jarnigan 
On Wednesday January 1, 1908 at 9pm, officers  Jarnigan and Mike Wrenn were shot and killed by a suspect while they were standing in the door way to Rena Hensley's "House of Ill Fame" located at 624 S. Central St.. The officers were attempting to take the suspect into custody for outstanding fines owed the city. 
Sam Hickey Sam Hickey
On Sunday June 1, 1913 at 12:20am Officer Hickey was killed by a man involved in a domestic dispute. Officer Hickey happened onto the dispute while walking back to the station at the end of his watch.
James M. Tillery James M. Tillery 
Patrolman Tillery was shot while covering the back door of a house during a raid in the "Old Red Light" district. A suspect jumped from a rear window of the house and fataly shot officer Tillery who died at the scene in the arms of his partner Patrolman Rice Witt.    
	Ross Hinds Ross Hinds
Patrolman Hinds was killed at the end of his shift on June 11, 1921. at 06:30am. He had been on duty with several members of his detachment in the Brookside Mill district due to a union strike demonstration. Patrolman Hinds was killed by a  train as he crossed the tracks on Baxter ave. Patrolan Hinds was the last one to attempt the crossing before being struck by the train.    
	Curley Robbins Curley Robbins 
On Monday March 13, 1939 at 11:25pm Patrolman Robbins was shot in the back by a beer stand waitress at the CARL JENKINS CAFE located on Walnut St. Officer Robbins had responded to the Cafe on a disturbance but left when ordered out by the armed Cafe owner. Patrolman Robbins returned with back up to arrest the Cafe owner. It was at this time that the 19 year old waitress shot at the officers striking Patrolman Robbins in the back.    
Lester (Tarzan) Gwinn Lester (Tarzan) Gwinn
On Monday January 31, 1955 at 1:30am Officer Gwinn was shot five times in the chest while investigating a domestic call. He and his partner Officer Robert Stephens exchanged gun fire with the suspect after the suspect pulled a gun and shot at officer Gwinn.  
John H. Perkey John H. Perkey 
On Sunday Decemeber 8, 1967 at 2:00am, patrolman Perkey was involved in a car accident while on duty. Officer Perkey was a passenger in the police car driven by his partner Officer Donald Chamberlain. Officers were chasing a speeding motorist when officers police car hit a wet spot in the road and spun out of control. The car struck a tree after which Officer Perkey was thrown form the car and died at the scene.  
John William Phillips John William Phillips
On April 1, 1969, officer John William Phillips was killed while riding his police motorcycle on Clinton Hwy. He was thrown from his Motorcycle when he struck a guard rail and sign post just North of Sharps Gap.  
	George M. Bradley George M. Bradley 
Officer Bradley was involved in an auto accident while on duty in the early 1970's. The accident left Officer Bradley a parapheligic. He never recovered from his injuries, and he died September 12, 1993.
Mark Anthony Williams Mark Anthony Williams 
On July 7, 1989, Officer Mark Anthony (Tony) Williams was shot in the back while riding his motorcycle on Cherry St. and I40. This case is still pending.