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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dan Mull was shot and killed as he ate breakfast at a truck stop. Three people who had just committed an armed robbery thought that he was there to arrest them. The suspects walked up behind him and shot him. Deputy Mull was unaware that the armed robbery had taken place. The suspects, two men, 22 and 23, and a girl 19, fled in a pickup truck. Deputy Mull's nephew, who worked at the truck stop, and a truck driver chased the suspects in his uncle's patrol car; ran them off the road and held them at gunpoint until deputies arrived. The 23-year-old gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died in prison at some point after his last mug shot was taken on April 17, 2018. His companion was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years. Charges against the girl were dropped.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Mull gave the McMinn County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mull.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McMinn County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Dan is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Dan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dan 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 1975, 6 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dan was 54. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Dan had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dan was 54. 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. Dan had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dan was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dan had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at McMinn County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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
McMinn County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Dan among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from McMinn County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.