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Incident
Sheriff Blake Head was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call at about 6:45 pm.
He and two deputies responded to a residence to answer a call of a man threating to kill his family. As Sheriff Head stepped out of his vehicle he was shot and killed by rifle fire. The two deputies returned fire, killing the subject.
Sheriff Head was survived by his wife and child.
He and two deputies responded to a residence to answer a call of a man threating to kill his family. As Sheriff Head stepped out of his vehicle he was shot and killed by rifle fire. The two deputies returned fire, killing the subject.
Survivors
Sheriff Head was survived by his wife and child.
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.
Sheriff Head served with the Unicoi County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Erwin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Head.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Unicoi County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Blake is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Blake is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Blake 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 1942, 10 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Blake was 43. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Blake was 43. 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.
Blake was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
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 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Unicoi County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Unicoi County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Blake among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Unicoi County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
