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Incident
Night Officer Bert Conrey succumbed to injuries sustained two weeks earlier when he was severely beaten by an intoxicated couple who were walking on Main Street, between 1st Street and 2nd Street.
The couple were acting disorderly and Officer Conrey confronted them, at which time he was punched and kicked by the married couple. The couple was arrested and charged with murder after Officer Conrey died two weeks later.
They were originally convicted of second degree murder, but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the murder conviction was overturned. They were both sentenced to eight years in prison.
Officer Conrey had served with the Knoxville Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Night Officer Conrey gave the Knoxville Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Officer Conrey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion is the only officer of Knoxville Police Department remembered here.
Marion is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Marion is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Marion 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 1938, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marion was 56. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Marion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Marion was 56. 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. Marion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Marion was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Marion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Knoxville Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.3% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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