Our Fallen Officers - Kingsport, TN

Patrolman
J. M. Carmack
Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 25, 1919

Patrolman Carmack was shot and killed while responding to reports of a drunk man creating a disturbance at a prayer meeting. The suspect was known to Patrolman Carmack and when he arrived at the scene he began talking to the man. The suspect suddenly shot Patrolman Carmack twice. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Carmack was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. He was taken to a local hospital where he died of his wounds early the next morning.

The suspect, a 20 year old youth, was taken into custody a short time later. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison on October 29, 1919.

Patrolman Carmack was the chief engineer of the Kingsport Fire Department. He served as a special patrolman for the police department. He was survived by his brother, the Kingsport Police Chief.

Patrolman
John F. Smith
Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Monday, April 13, 1925

Patrolman John Smith and Deputy Hubert Webb, of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, were shot and killed as they and another officer attempted to arrest a fugitive. The suspect was wanted for murdering Deputy Sheriff Murdock McIntosh, of the Greene County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Department, on December 24, 1924.

As the officers approached, the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding both officers. The suspect was apprehended and later died while serving time in a penitentiary in Parchman, Mississippi.

Patrolman Smith is buried in Pyles Cemetery, Sullivan County, Tennessee.

Patrolman
George W. Frazier
Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Monday, May 30, 1938

Patrolman Frazier suffered a fatal heart attack following a shootout that involved several officers and a suspect near Cooks Valley. Constable Bruce Barker, of the Sullivan County Twelfth District Constable’s Office, was shot and killed during the shootout. The suspect was wounded but later arrested.

Patrolman
John E. Mills
Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Saturday, September 7, 1940

Patrolman Mills was shot and killed in an ambush by one of two brothers who had escaped from the Bristol jail. The shooting occurred between Catawba and Watauga Streets. Patrolman Mills was shot once in the back of the head and once in the arm.

The gunman was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On October 20, 1955, he escaped from the Tennessee State Penitentiary. March 27, 1958, he was recaptured by FBI agents in Baltimore, Maryland, just a few hours after he made the “ten most wanted list”.

Patrolman Mills had served with the Kingsport Police Department for 2 years and also was a member of the fire department.

Patrolman
Ira H. Burgess
Kingsport Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 13, 1950

Patrolman Burgess was shot and killed when he and a police captain responded to reports of a man threatening to kill his wife. When they arrived at the man’s house they began to take cover but the man came out with a shotgun and opened fire. Patrolman Burgess was shot as he attempted to draw his pistol. The suspect was then shot and killed by a city workhouse guard who was supervising a work crew.

Patrolman Burgess had served with the Kingsport Police Department for 5 years and had previously served as a part-time deputy for Hawkins County for 16 years.