Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ivan Cooke was shot and killed as he and several other deputies and constables served a warrant at a home on Highway 33, seven miles north of Maynardville, where illegal gambling and liquor sales were occurring.
When the officers arrived at the home the owner's wife ran inside and announced that officers were approaching. The owner hid in the basement and then opened fire as Deputy Cooke came into the home, striking him in the head twice.
The subject, 12 other men in the home, and the subject's wife were arrested and charged with murder. The homeowner was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on April 22, 1962.
Deputy Cooke had served as the county's jailer for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two step-children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-175EF115- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cooke gave the Union County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Maynardville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cooke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Edgar Ivan Cooke 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 Union County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edgar Ivan Cooke's cause is highlighted.
How Edgar Ivan Cooke Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edgar Ivan Cooke is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edgar Ivan Cooke was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
