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Incident
Deputy Steve Mullins was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on Hickory Tree Road near U.S. Highway 421 at 3:45 pm. The vehicle, being driven by three runaway juveniles, had been stolen in Florida and was being chased by members of another department. Deputy Mullins pulled his cruiser into the lane of traffic in which the van was traveling to protect the traffic ahead of him. The van crashed into the cruiser, knocking Deputy Mullins into the grill of a wrecker approximately 25 feet away. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The 15-year-old driver of the van was charged as an adult and found guilty of felony murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was released after serving only five years. Deputy Mullins had served with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, stepson, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Mullins gave the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blountville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mullins.
— 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.
Steve is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Steve is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steve 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 1995, 1 officer at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1995, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steve was 41. 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. Steve had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Steve was 41. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Steve had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Steve was 41. 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. Steve had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steve was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steve had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. 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 automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 3.2% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Sullivan County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Steve 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 27-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.
