Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Kennedy was shot and killed when a store manager mistook him for a burglary suspect in Madisonville. The store manager had received information that the store was about to be burglarized and called the sheriff at 0200 hours. The sheriff and a deputy arrived at the store before the store manager and began searching for signs of a burglary. The store owner arrived at the scene as Sheriff Kennedy came from around the back of the store with his pistol drawn. The sheriff shined his flashlight at the manager, obscuring his view. The manager, thinking that Sheriff Kennedy was one of the suspects, opened fire, killing him. The store manager was found not guilty of any crimes in connection with Sheriff Kennedy's death. Sheriff Kennedy had previously been shot in the line of duty two times. Prior to being elected sheriff he had served 8 years as a deputy marshal for the United States Marshals Service.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 13 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-BD517BEA- 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.
Sheriff Kennedy gave the Monroe County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madisonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Kennedy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James Pinkney Kennedy 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 Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 6 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. James Pinkney Kennedy's cause is highlighted.
How James Pinkney Kennedy Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Pinkney Kennedy is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Pinkney Kennedy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
