George Hoyle
Agency patch
Patrolman

George Hoyle

Knoxville Police Department — Knoxville, TN
Felonious
End of Watch September 21, 1890
Age 41
The Vigil Panel 10 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Hoyle was shot and killed while arresting a drunk man. The suspect broke free, produced a pistol, and shot Patrolman Hoyle.

The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Patrolman Hoyle was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Patrolman Hoyle was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-0D576A88
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Hoyle served with the Knoxville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Knoxville, Knox County, TN
Platform Identity kpd.knox.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 21, 1890
Age 41
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .44 caliber

Patrolman George Hoyle 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 Knoxville Police Department, 12 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.6% of this agency's fallen.

Knoxville Police Department
12
of 17 officers
70.6% Felonious
TN — Statewide
498
of 769 officers
64.8% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Hoyle's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How George Hoyle Compares

Age at Death
41
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Hoyle is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Hoyle was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909