Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ben DeVault was shot and killed while pursuing a murder suspect along Highway 61 with other county and federal officers.
Deputy DeVault and his brother, a county constable, were the lead car in the pursuit that started on Highway 61 near Big Ridge State Park. They chased the subject into Anderson County when the driver intentionally forced them off the road three miles from the Norris Freeway by stopping his car suddenly. As their vehicle passed, the suspect opened fire, striking Deputy DeVault in the head.
Two civilians who were assisting with the search of the two suspects following the shooting were also shot when they were mistaken for the wanted men. One of the civilians later died.
Three weeks earlier, the suspect had escaped from the Knox County Jail where he was serving a sentence for drunk driving. The next day he and another escapee robbed and killed a merchant in Andersonville. After he killed Deputy DeVault he went into hiding in the nearby mountains. Four weeks later he surrendered to the Knox County Sheriff. On October 24, 1960, he was shot and killed when he again attempted to escape from the Knox County Jail.
Deputy DeVault had served with the Union County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-A4106430- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff DeVault gave the Union County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Maynardville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff DeVault.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Benjamin G. DeVault 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 Union County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin G. DeVault's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin G. DeVault Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin G. DeVault is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin G. DeVault was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
