Memorial Honors:
William S. Thompson - Deputy Sheriff 1931
Ernest D. Duncan - Deputy Sheriff 1965
Elmer T. Singleton - Deputy Sheriff 1968
Douglas W. Tripp - State Trooper 1991
George S. Brooks - Police Lieutenant 2003
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Deputy William S. Thompson
Claiborne County Sheriff's Office
Tennessee
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 11, 1931
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, August 11, 1931
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Thompson was shot and killed as he and several other deputies raided a home where an illegal still was being operated. Because of a rough road, the deputies were forced to park their car and walk approximately one mile to the home. As they walked passed the home the homeowner opened fire on them with a shotgun, striking Deputy Thompson and another deputy.
The other deputies returned fire and struck the suspect, fatally wounding him. The deputy who wasn't wounded returned to town to notify the sheriff and to get assistance.
Deputy Thompson was taken to a hospital in Middlesboro, Kentucky, where he succumbed to his wounds.
Deputy Thompson had served with the agency for 5 years. He was survived by his wife and several children.
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Deputy Ernest Doliver Duncan
New Tazewell Police Department
Tennessee
End of Watch: Sunday, September 12, 1965
Biographical Info
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: Sunday, September 12, 1965
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Duncan was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop of a tractor trailer. The driver of the vehicle that struck him was charged with manslaughter.
Deputy Duncan had been with the agency for one year and was survived by his wife and five children.
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Deputy Sheriff Elmer Taylor Singleton
Claiborne County Sheriff's Office
Tennessee
End of Watch: Friday, September 13, 1968
Biographical Info
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, August 31, 1968
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Singleton was shot and killed by an intoxicated man when he and three other deputies stopped to render aid to a woman who was calling for assistance. The man opened fire on the four deputies, striking Deputy Singleton in the chest and leg. Deputy Singleton was taken to a local hospital where he died two weeks later.
Deputy Singleton had served with the agency for 6 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
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Trooper Douglas Wayne Tripp
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Tennessee
End of Watch: Sunday, May 19, 1991
Biographical Info
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 5591
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, May 18, 1991
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Convicted of murder
Trooper Douglas Tripp was shot multiple times and killed while he sat in his patrol car. The man shot Trooper Tripp ten times in the head and neck. The suspect charged with shooting Trooper Tripp told authorities that he shot the officer because he didn't deserve a speeding ticket.
The suspect was convicted of second degree murder. He was released from prison in 2008.
Trooper Tripp had served with the Tennessee Highway Patrol for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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Lieutenant George S. Brooks
New Tazewell Police Department
Tennessee
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Biographical Info
Age: 61
Tour of Duty: 29 years
Badge Number: 204
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
Date of Incident: Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Charged with vehicular homicide
Lieutenant Brooks was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting an investigation at the scene of a minor traffic accident on Highway 33 at 2215 hours.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Lieutenant Brooks, was driving on a revoked driver's license for a prior DUI. The driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide.
Lieutenant Brooks had been a member of the New Tazewell Police Department for 29 years, and is survived by his two sons, and his brother, who is also with the same agency.