Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-23E2E099- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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
Deputy Sheriff Doctor A. Shipe is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 64.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Knox County Sheriff's Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Doctor A. Shipe's cause is highlighted.
How Doctor A. Shipe Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Doctor A. Shipe is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Doctor A. Shipe was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
