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Incident
Patrolman John Mills was shot and killed in an ambush by one of two brothers who had escaped from the Bristol jail. The shooting occurred in a thicket of bushes off of Oak Street, between Catawba Street and Watauga Street. Patrolman Mills was shot once in the back of the head and once in the arm. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On October 20th, 1955, he escaped from the Tennessee State Penitentiary. On March 27th, 1958, he was recaptured by FBI agents in Baltimore, Maryland, just a few hours after he was added to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list. Patrolman Mills had served with the Kingsport Police Department for two years and also was a member of the fire department.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Mills gave the Kingsport Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kingsport Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 30. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Kingsport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kingsport Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Kingsport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
