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Incident
Deputy William Walker was shot and killed while investigating the robbery of a well known doctor. Unbeknownst to Deputy Walker, the suspect had murdered another man earlier in the evening.
The suspect, his father, and a woman had gone to a private residence that was hosting a party and demanded entry. When the homeowner's wife refused to let the group in, the son struck her on the head with a pistol. She screamed for help and her husband immediately came to her assistance, not knowing that she had been assaulted. When he entered the room and asked her what had happened, the son immediately shot him in the back, killing him.
The group fled the scene as a manhunt was started. A short time later, a local doctor was robbed of his horse and buggy by the men. The doctor went to Deputy Walker's home and informed him of the robbery and asked that he accompany him to locate the group. When they located the group a short time later, Deputy Walker told them they were under arrest. The son immediately opened fire, striking Deputy Walker in the spine. The deputy was taken to Lincoln Memorial Hospital where he died one week later.
The shooter's father turned himself in but the shooter fled into the country. The shooter was eventually apprehended, convicted, and hung on March 23, 1908.
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Walker was survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Walker served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Walker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knox County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1906, 1 officer at Knox County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1906, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 38. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Knox County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.5; the middle age was 38.
William was 38. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
William was 38. 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.
William was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 28.6% of these deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% 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
Knox County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Doctor A. Shipe May 21, 1888
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William Walker
Jul 21, 1906
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George S. Williams Jun 3, 1927
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Ralph W. King
Sep 12, 1933
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Harley Beecher Nelson Jul 6, 1947
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James Kenneth Kennedy
Mar 27, 1984
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Steve Keith McCulley
Feb 16, 1999
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Angela K. Payne
Feb 26, 2000
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L. Keith Lyon
May 9, 2006
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Toby Jay Keiser
Jan 18, 2021
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Tucker Blakely
Oct 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
