Incident
Lieutenant Steve McCulley was killed when his cruiser was struck by an empty coal train.
He was crossing an unguarded crossing with double tracks when the train struck the passenger side of the car at approximately 43 miles per hour. The passenger side door was pushed into the driver's seat. Lieutenant McCulley was flown to a local hospital, where he later died.
Lieutenant McCulley had served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant McCulley gave the Knox County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McCulley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Knox County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Steve is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Steve is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steve is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 3 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1999, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1999, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 61st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Steve was 48. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Steve had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Steve was 48. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Steve had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steve was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Steve had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.3% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 11 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Knox County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Steve 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
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.






