Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Yancey was shot and killed when he and three other deputies went to a home on Williams Creek Road in Oneida for a methamphetamine bust.
They went to the mobile home to interview several subjects about a suspected meth lab. Sergeant Yancey's partner went inside to search the mobile home after one of the suspects granted him permission. The other three deputies remained outside to guard exit points.
The deputy inside of the home claimed that someone was hiding in a closet and holding what appeared to be a weapon. Sergeant Yancey came inside for backup while the three suspects exited the trailer. While inside, Sergeant Yancey was shot, and his partner went outside to request additional backup. His partner claimed that the suspect shot Sergeant Yancey with a rifle, fled the trailer, and ran into the woods. Later, he changed his story and claimed he accidentally shot Sergeant Yancey, who was caught in the crossfire despite only one shot being fired.
Through the investigation, it was determined that Sergeant Yancey was shot by his partner, whose father was the Scott County sheriff. Details emerged years later when Sergeant Yancey's wife won a $5 million settlement against his partner. Witnesses stated that Sergeant Yancey had discovered that his partner was involved in the meth trade, and Sergeant Yancey had begun a secret investigation. Sergeant Yancey was also intending to run for sheriff during the next election. The deputy was fired in 2006 and never served in law enforcement again. Despite an investigation by the FBI in 2010, he was never charged.
Three suspects were apprehended. A total of four suspects were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine but were not charged in connection with Deputy Yancey's death.
Sergeant Yancey had served with the Scott County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-EBEDFCF9- 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.
Sergeant Yancey gave the Scott County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Yancey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Hubert Dean "John-John" Yancey 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 Scott County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 8 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. Hubert Dean "John-John" Yancey's cause is highlighted.
How Hubert Dean "John-John" Yancey Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hubert Dean "John-John" Yancey is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Scott County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
