James M. Tillery
Agency patch
Patrolman

James M. Tillery

Knoxville Police Department — Knoxville, TN
Felonious
End of Watch April 15, 1916
Age 40
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 72 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Tillery was shot and killed while he and his partner searched a home in the red-light district. A man suddenly jumped out of a rear window and shot Patrolman Tillery twice. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Tillery was able to return fire but the suspect escaped.

Patrolman Tillery had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and child.

Survivors

Patrolman Tillery had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Tillery gave the Knoxville Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Tillery.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Knoxville, Knox County, TN
Platform Identity kpd.knox.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 15, 1916
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 40. 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. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Knoxville Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, James among them.

Patrolman James M. Tillery

Knoxville Police Department · End of Watch April 15, 1916

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W

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