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Incident
Sergeant Steve Hinkle succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier at 3606 Highway 11W.
Deputies had responded to the residence to conduct a welfare check on an occupant. As they approached the home, the occupant opened fire on them, causing them to seek cover. As the deputies attempted to establish communication with the man, he opened fire a second time, striking Sergeant Hinkle during the exchange of gunfire.
The subject was found deceased inside the home several hours later.
Sergeant Hinkle was transported to the hospital, where he died as a result of his wounds on February 26th, 2019.
Sergeant Hinkle had served with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for over 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by three children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Hinkle gave the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Blountville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hinkle.
— 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.
Steven is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 1 officer at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2019, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 65. 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. Steven had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Steven was 65. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Steven had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Steven was 65. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 65. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department; November holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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 gun; unknown type, in 12.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Sullivan County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Steven 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Sullivan County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
