Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Henry Wagster and Constable Pinkney Knox were shot and killed near Dyer, Tennessee, while attempting to arrest an escapee from the county workhouse.
The subject had been at large for several days. As the officer, along with a third officer, searched the Dyer area they came across the subject hiding behind a tree. The man opened fire with a Winchester rifle, killing Deputy Wagster and seriously wounding Constable Knox. The subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later after being shot multiple times by members of a posse. The subject's wounds resulted in the amputation of one of his arms.
The subject and his mother were both charged with Deputy Wagster's murder. Mistrials were the result of their first and second trial in April and December of 1915. In April of 1916 the subject was convicted of second degree murder. Charges against his mother were dismissed.
Constable Knox's health continued to deteriorate and he died as a result of his injuries on December 18th, 1915.
Deputy Wagster was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Wagster was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-ED3B6437- 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 Wagster served with the Gibson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wagster.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Henry B. Wagster 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 Gibson County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry B. Wagster's cause is highlighted.
How Henry B. Wagster Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry B. Wagster is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry B. Wagster was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Gibson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
