Cocke County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee
End of Watch: Friday, December 20, 1974
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: December 20, 1974
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Deputy Sheriff Billy Smith and Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Clevenger were killed in an automobile crash while on patrol.
The deputies were turning onto an on-ramp for I-40 when their vehicle was broadsided by a drunk driver who was driving without headlights on. Both deputies were killed instantly. The drunk driver was acquitted on a technicality.
Deputy Smith had served with the Cocke County Sheriff's Department for four months. He is survived by his wife and daughter.