Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Otey Templeton was shot and killed while he and other deputies attempted to serve a warrant near Jockey, Tennessee.
The man and the estranged wife of another man had come to Greene County from West Virginia. The husband had tracked the couple to a farm near Jockey and swore out a warrant against the man. As Deputy Templeton, along with officers from Sullivan County and Virginia, attempted to serve the warrant the man fled into the woods. As the posse pursued him the man opened fire, killing Deputy Templeton.
The subject was arrested in West Virginia and returned to Tennessee for trial. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In November 1923 he was granted a new trial by the Tennessee Supreme Court. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 12 years.
Deputy Templeton had served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-ACC17A6A- 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 Templeton served with the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greeneville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Templeton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert Otey Lee Templeton 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 Greene County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 8 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. Robert Otey Lee Templeton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Otey Lee Templeton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 to 12 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Otey Lee Templeton is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Otey Lee Templeton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
