Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Lee Eldreth was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had broken into the post office in Harris, Tennessee.
A warrant for the man's arrest was placed in the hands of a regular deputy, who deputized Mr. Eldreth to assist him.
As Deputy Eldreth and the other deputy approached the man, the suspect suddenly leveled a shotgun at them and opened fire, killing Deputy Eldreth. The 23-year-old suspect was captured two days later near Abingdon, Virginia.
Deputy Eldreth was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Eldreth was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-EFE61186- 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.
Special Deputy Eldreth served with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Blountville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Eldreth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Lee S. Eldreth 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 Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 12 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. Lee S. Eldreth's cause is highlighted.
How Lee S. Eldreth Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee S. Eldreth is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lee S. Eldreth was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Sullivan County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
