Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff George Clark was shot and killed from ambush while he and another deputy searched a barn on the lower Burbage farm along Sinking Creek at the foot of Buffalo Mountain.
They had just found a stash of illegal liquor when at least one person opened fire with a rifle from a concealed position, striking Deputy Clark in the head and killing him instantly. The second deputy was wounded.
Two men were arrested and charged with Deputy Clark's murder. Their first trial in November 1922 resulted in a hung jury and they were scheduled to be retried in March 1923.
Deputy Clark had recently been re-appointed as a sheriff's deputy. He had previously served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Johnson City Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons from a previous marriage.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-51F64C28- 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 Clark served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jonesborough community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff George E. Clark 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 Washington County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 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. George E. Clark's cause is highlighted.
How George E. Clark Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George E. Clark is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Washington County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
