Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ralph King succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier when he and two other deputies were ambushed while searching for a still.
Several moonshiners opened fire on the deputies as they approached the still, striking Deputy King and another deputy with a shotgun blast. Both were transported to a Knoxville hospital in critical condition. Deputy King succumbed to his wounds.
Seven subjects were arrested in connection with the shooting. Two of the men were charged with murder while the others had there charges dropped. The other two, brothers, 21 and 23, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 21 years each. On January 15, 1939, Governor Gordan Browning commuted their convictions and sentences to 3 to 10 years for voluntary manslaughter.
Deputy King was survived by his wife, three sons, four daughter, brother, and two sisters.
Survivors
Deputy King was survived by his wife, three sons, four daughter, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-3084A203- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff King 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 King.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ralph W. King 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 97,756 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. Ralph W. King's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph W. King Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph W. King is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph W. King was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
