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Incident
Special Officer J.M. Carmack was shot and killed while responding to reports of a drunk man creating a disturbance at a prayer meeting in a church on Sevier Terrace. The suspect was known to Officer Carmack and when he arrived at the scene he began talking to the man. The suspect suddenly shot Officer Carmack twice. Although mortally wounded, Officer Carmack was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. He was taken to a local hospital where he died of his wounds early the next morning. The suspect, a 20-year-old man, was taken into custody a short time later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison on October 29th, 1919. On February 5th, 1933, he was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate at Brushy Mountain State Prison. Officer Carmack was the chief engineer of the Kingsport Fire Department. He served as a special officer for the police department. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and seven siblings. One of his brothers was the Kingsport police chief.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Special Officer Carmack served with the Kingsport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Carmack.
— 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.
J. is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 6 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 41. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
J. was 41. 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.
J. was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Kingsport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kingsport Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-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.
