Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy William Walker was shot and killed while investigating the robbery of a well known doctor. Unbeknownst to Deputy Walker, the suspect had murdered another man earlier in the evening.
The suspect, his father, and a woman had gone to a private residence that was hosting a party and demanded entry. When the homeowner's wife refused to let the group in, the son struck her on the head with a pistol. She screamed for help and her husband immediately came to her assistance, not knowing that she had been assaulted. When he entered the room and asked her what had happened, the son immediately shot him in the back, killing him.
The group fled the scene as a manhunt was started. A short time later, a local doctor was robbed of his horse and buggy by the men. The doctor went to Deputy Walker's home and informed him of the robbery and asked that he accompany him to locate the group. When they located the group a short time later, Deputy Walker told them they were under arrest. The son immediately opened fire, striking Deputy Walker in the spine. The deputy was taken to Lincoln Memorial Hospital where he died one week later.
The shooter's father turned himself in but the shooter fled into the country. The shooter was eventually apprehended, convicted, and hung on March 23, 1908.
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A613A937- 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 Walker served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Walker 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 Knox County Sheriff's Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Walker's cause is highlighted.
How William Walker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Walker is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Walker was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
