Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Cate and Deputy Sheriff John Conway were shot and killed when a prisoner they were transporting escaped.
Sheriff Cate and Deputy Conway were on a train transporting three prisoners who had just been convicted of murder. When the train stopped in Sweet Water, Tennessee, three men entered the train car. One man was the brother of one of the prisoners. He approached Deputy Conway from behind, drew a pistol and shot and killed Deputy Conway. The suspect then took the keys from Deputy Conway's pocket and unlocked his brother and the other two prisoners. Sheriff Cate rushed the men, but was shot several times and killed.
The three men who entered the train and the brother then jumped into the engine car, and at gunpoint, ordered the motorman to start moving the train. The train went through three towns without stopping before the four suspects jumped from the engine and fled on horses.
When the train stopped at Knoxville, the other two prisoners, who were not involved in the escape, surrendered to officers.
The killer was recaptured and executed in 1883.
Sheriff Cate and Deputy Conway were on a train transporting three prisoners who had just been convicted of murder. When the train stopped in Sweet Water, Tennessee, three men entered the train car. One man was the brother of one of the prisoners. He approached Deputy Conway from behind, drew a pistol and shot and killed Deputy Conway. The suspect then took the keys from Deputy Conway's pocket and unlocked his brother and the other two prisoners. Sheriff Cate rushed the men, but was shot several times and killed.
The three men who entered the train and the brother then jumped into the engine car, and at gunpoint, ordered the motorman to start moving the train. The train went through three towns without stopping before the four suspects jumped from the engine and fled on horses.
Rest in peace always and know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 14th, 2020
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Sheriff Cate served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William T. Cate 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 Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Cate's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Cate Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Cate is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Cate was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
