Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Cline was shot and killed after being confronted by a drunk man he had ordered to go home a short time earlier. The man had originally gone home but returned to a poolroom. As Sheriff Cline entered the same poolroom, the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, severely wounding Sheriff Cline in an arm. The suspect then took Sheriff Cline's service revolver and shot him several times, killing him. After a short time, the subject walked to a nearby business and threatened the owner, then went to another man's home and forced the man outside before returning to his own home. Three deputies responded to his home and shot the suspect to death when he threatened them as well.
Survivors
Sheriff Cline was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-54D0D770- 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.
Sheriff Cline served with the Grundy County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Altamont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Cline.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John A. Cline 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 Grundy County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 4 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. John A. Cline's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Cline Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Cline is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Cline was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Grundy County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
