Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Samuel Hickey was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect for assault. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to death. The Tennessee Supreme Court ordered a new trial and he was sentenced to life.
Patrolman Hickey had served with the Knoxville Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, child, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-FE9798A4- 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 Hickey 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 Hickey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Samuel C. Hickey 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. Samuel C. Hickey's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel C. Hickey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel C. Hickey is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel C. Hickey was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Knoxville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
