Incident
Deputy Sheriff Angela Payne was killed after she was struck by a vehicle while she was investigating a shooting call on Byington-Beaver Ridge Road in Knoxville.
She and another officer had responded to a business when the sheriff's department received a 911 call about a possible shooting around 1:40 a.m. Because there was no shoulder on the road, both officers parked in the northbound lane of the two-lane road with emergency lights activated. While standing in the southbound lane, both officers were struck from behind by another driver. They were transported by ambulance to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where Deputy Payne remained on life support until her organs could be donated. The second officer was admitted in critical condition.
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 Payne gave the Knox County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Payne.
— 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.
Angela is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Angela is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Angela is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2000, 6 officers in TN were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2000, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Angela was 31. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Angela had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Angela was 31. 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. Angela had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Angela was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Angela had served 3 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%. Saturdays: 16.8%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Knox County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Angela 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 62-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.






