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Incident
Officer Herman Rollins succumbed to a gunshot wound after responding to a disturbance at a cafe at 323 1-2 Walnut Street at 11:30 pm. When Officer Rollins arrived, the armed owner ordered him to leave. When he returned with backup officers to arrest the owner, a female waitress shot him in the back. He was transported to General Hospital, where he passed away from the wound to his spinal cord. The 19-year-old waitress and the owner, a convicted felon, were charged with murder. The waitress pleaded temporary insanity and was acquitted. Officer Rollins had served with the Knoxville Police Department for over two years and previously served as a constable. It was his first day back on patrol after serving in the Traffic Division.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, his mother, two brothers, and two sisters.
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.
Patrol Officer Rollins gave the Knoxville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Rollins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knoxville Police Department has lost 17 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Herman is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Herman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herman 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 1939, 1 officer at Knoxville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1914, with 3.
In 1939, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Herman was 32. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Knoxville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.3 and 44.3; the middle age was 40.5. Herman had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Herman was 32. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Herman had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Herman was 32. 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. Herman had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.3% of these deaths at Knoxville Police Department; January holds the most, 41.7%. Wednesdays: 41.7%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70.6% of all 17 deaths at Knoxville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 58.3% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Knoxville Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Herman 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
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.
