Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Pinkney Knox and Deputy Sheriff Henry Wagster 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, the day after his 64th birthday.
Constable Knox was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Constable Knox was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Knox served with the Gibson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Knox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Pinkney Shay Knox is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Pinkney Shay Knox's cause is highlighted.
How Pinkney Shay Knox Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Pinkney Shay Knox is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Pinkney Shay Knox was killed by rifle; winchester.