Tennessee Department of Correction, Tennessee
End of Watch: Friday, March 12, 1937
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: March 12, 1937
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Guard Joseph Simms was stabbed to death inside the state penitentiary by a death row inmate who was attempting to escape.
Guard Simms and another guard were delivering food to all of the death row inmates. The cell doors could be opened but were secured with a chain that prevented them from opening more than 12 inches.
When Guard Simms opened the door, the inmate asked him to place a stool inside the cell. Guard Simms removed the chain and as he bent down to put the stool in the cell, the inmate stabbed him in the neck with a 3-inch knife.
The inmate then ran out of the cell and knocked down another guard. The other guard got up and opened fire on the suspect, striking him in the head twice, killing him. The suspect was scheduled to be executed the following week for a double murder two years earlier.
Guard Simms had served with the Department of Correction for 3 years, and had previously served as an officer with the Nashville Police Department. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, grandson, and parents.