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Incident
Special Deputy Lee Eldreth was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had broken into the post office in Harris, Tennessee.
A warrant for the man's arrest was placed in the hands of a regular deputy, who deputized Mr. Eldreth to assist him.
As Deputy Eldreth and the other deputy approached the man, the suspect suddenly leveled a shotgun at them and opened fire, killing Deputy Eldreth. The 23-year-old suspect was captured two days later near Abingdon, Virginia.
Deputy Eldreth was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Eldreth was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Deputy Eldreth served with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Blountville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Eldreth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sullivan County Sheriff's Department has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Lee is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee 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 1907, 1 officer at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1907, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 32. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 42; the middle age was 41. Lee had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Lee was 32. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Lee had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lee was 32. 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. Lee had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department; November holds the most, 16.7%. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Sullivan County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
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Lee S. Eldreth Dec 25, 1907
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Hubert Webb
Apr 13, 1925
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Arthur Carroll Lane
Mar 30, 1981
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Glayton Mitchell Parker
May 31, 1990
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Roscoe Teague
May 30, 1995
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Steve N. Mullins
Nov 22, 1995
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Stephen Dwight Riner
Sep 30, 2001
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Barry Shelton
Sep 30, 2001
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Robert Bowlin, Sr.
Oct 31, 2016
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Steven Billie Hinkle
Feb 26, 2019
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Roger Alan Mitchell
Aug 24, 2021
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Joshua Wayne Stewart
Sep 27, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Sullivan County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
