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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Doctor (John) Shipe was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a suspect wanted on a warrant.
Deputy Shipe and another deputy went to a railroad construction site where the suspect was staying. When they located the suspect, he was lying in bed. Deputy Shipe told the suspect he was under arrest and that he had a warrant for his arrest on the charge of robbery. The suspect asked Deputy Shipe to read the warrant. As Deputy Shipe was reading the warrant, the suspect drew a hidden pistol and leapt at the officers. The suspect fired, striking Deputy Shipe in the chest, killing him.
The other Deputy attempted to return fire, but his gun failed to fire. The suspect fled the location. He was captured four days later after a massive state-wide manhunt. When he was captured he was in possession of two handguns.
The suspect was charged with murder and on on May 25, 1888 he was convicted and sentenced to death. He was hung on July 20, 1888.
Deputy Shipe had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Department for just over one year and was survived by his wife, mother, sister and four young children.
Survivors
Deputy Shipe had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Department for just over one year and was survived by his wife, mother, sister and four young children.
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
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Shipe gave the Knox County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knox County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Doctor is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Doctor is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Doctor is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1888, 1 officer at Knox County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1888, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Doctor was 39. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Knox County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.5; the middle age was 38. Doctor had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Doctor was 39. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Doctor had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Doctor was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Doctor had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Doctor was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Doctor had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department; July holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 28.6%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 2.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Knox County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Doctor among them.
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Doctor A. Shipe May 21, 1888
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William Walker
Jul 21, 1906
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George S. Williams Jun 3, 1927
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Ralph W. King
Sep 12, 1933
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Harley Beecher Nelson Jul 6, 1947
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James Kenneth Kennedy
Mar 27, 1984
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Steve Keith McCulley
Feb 16, 1999
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Angela K. Payne
Feb 26, 2000
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L. Keith Lyon
May 9, 2006
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Toby Jay Keiser
Jan 18, 2021
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Tucker Blakely
Oct 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
