Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy W. E. Alexander was shot and killed in White Pine while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for carrying a pistol.
The suspect was located by Deputy Alexander in a local store. When the deputy told him he was under arrest, the man cursed at the deputy and then opened fire, fatally wounding him.
The suspect escaped but was pursued by a posse and apprehended. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. In a new trial granted by the Tennessee Supreme Court he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years.
Deputy Alexander was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Alexander was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-0A94048F- Stewardship
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- 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 Alexander served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dandridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Alexander.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff W. E. Alexander 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. E. Alexander's cause is highlighted.
How W. E. Alexander Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. E. Alexander is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. E. Alexander was killed by handgun.