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Incident
Patrolman John Smith and Deputy Sheriff Hubert Webb, of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed as they and other officers attempted to arrest a fugitive. The officers were involved in a running gun battle with the man along the banks of the Holston River just below the Old Kingsport underpass. The suspect, 18, was wanted for murdering Deputy Sheriff Murdock McIntosh, of the Greene County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Department, on December 24th, 1924. As the officers approached, the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding both officers. The suspect was apprehended and died on March 9, 1958, while serving his sentence in a penitentiary in Parchman, Mississippi. Patrolman Smith is buried in Pyles Cemetery, Sullivan County, Tennessee.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Smith served with the Kingsport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kingsport Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
John was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Kingsport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 11% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kingsport Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Kingsport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
