Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman O.L. Jarnigan and Patrolman Mike Wrenn were shot and killed during a struggle with a suspect they were attempting to arrest.
The two officers were attempting to wrestle a gun from the suspect, but the man was able to shoot both officers in the head, killing them.
When Patrolman Jarnigan's 65-year-old father was told of his death, he went into a state of shock and died a short time later.
The 23-year-old suspect died in prison from influenza on November 8, 1918.
Patrolman Jarnigan had been with the Knoxville Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-947AE5B3- 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.
Patrolman Jarnigan gave the Knoxville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Jarnigan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Orlando Lee Jarnigan 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 Knoxville Police Department, 12 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orlando Lee Jarnigan's cause is highlighted.
How Orlando Lee Jarnigan Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orlando Lee Jarnigan is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orlando Lee Jarnigan was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Knoxville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
