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Incident
Officer Phillips was killed in a motorcycle accident while on patrol on Clinton Highway. He was thrown from the motorcycle when it struck a guard rail and sign post.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Phillips served with the Knoxville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Knoxville Police Department has lost 17 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 3 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 23.5% of all 17 deaths at Knoxville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Knoxville Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, John among them.
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William Dozier Jan 1, 1868
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Nathan Haynes Jan 1, 1869
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George Hoyle Sep 21, 1890
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Mike Wrenn
Jan 1, 1908
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Orlando Lee Jarnigan
Jan 1, 1908
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Samuel C. Hickey
Jun 1, 1914
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William Dinwiddie
Jun 19, 1914
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Robert T. Saylor
Dec 23, 1914
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James M. Tillery
Apr 15, 1916
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Ross Ball Hinds
Jun 12, 1921
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Herman M. Rollins
Mar 15, 1939
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Amos Catlett
Jun 3, 1940
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Lester Woodrow Gwinn
Jan 31, 1955
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John H. Perkey
Dec 8, 1967
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John W. Phillips
Apr 1, 1969
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Mark Anthony Williams
Jul 7, 1989
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Wisbens Antoine
Feb 25, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Knoxville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
