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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Otey Templeton was shot and killed while he and other deputies attempted to serve a warrant near Jockey, Tennessee.
The man and the estranged wife of another man had come to Greene County from West Virginia. The husband had tracked the couple to a farm near Jockey and swore out a warrant against the man. As Deputy Templeton, along with officers from Sullivan County and Virginia, attempted to serve the warrant the man fled into the woods. As the posse pursued him the man opened fire, killing Deputy Templeton.
The subject was arrested in West Virginia and returned to Tennessee for trial. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In November 1923 he was granted a new trial by the Tennessee Supreme Court. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 12 years.
Deputy Templeton had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Templeton served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greeneville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Templeton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1923, 9 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 49. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Robert had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 49. 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. Robert had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 8 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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; unknown type, in 12.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
