Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dan Mull was shot and killed as he ate breakfast at a truck stop. Three people who had just committed an armed robbery thought that he was there to arrest them. The suspects walked up behind him and shot him. Deputy Mull was unaware that the armed robbery had taken place. The suspects, two men, 22 and 23, and a girl 19, fled in a pickup truck. Deputy Mull's nephew, who worked at the truck stop, and a truck driver chased the suspects in his uncle's patrol car; ran them off the road and held them at gunpoint until deputies arrived. The 23-year-old gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison at some point after his last mug shot was taken on April 17, 2018. His companion was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. Charges against the girl were dropped.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A53110FE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Mull gave the McMinn County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mull.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Dan Mull is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At McMinn County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dan Mull's cause is highlighted.
How Dan Mull Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dan Mull is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dan Mull was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from McMinn County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.