Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy John Swann and Constable James Jett, of the Roane County Constable's Office, were shot and killed as they attempted to raid an illegal liquor still seven miles north of Rockwood, Tennessee.
Several suspects were hiding in an ambush position in a barn. The suspects shot and killed both officers and attempted to conceal their bodies. The suspects tried to move the still to another location and then fled the scene. After several hours, the Roane County sheriff and Harriman City police chief went to the scene and discovered the two bodies.
Two suspects were eventually apprehended and charged in connection with the officer's murders. One was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was eventually released and died in Owosso, Michigan, on April 7, 1971. The other was convicted of second degree murder but the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed his case in 1927. On February 25, 1951, he was shot and killed at a cafe in Harriman, Tennessee.
Deputy Swan was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Deputy Swan was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-E3C1DB0B- 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 Swann served with the Roane County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kingston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swann.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Franklin Swann 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 Roane County Sheriff's Office, 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 Franklin Swann's cause is highlighted.
How John Franklin Swann Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Franklin Swann is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Franklin Swann was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Roane County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
