Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Monday, January 31, 1955
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 31, 1955
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Tarzan Gwinn was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a domestic disturbance call involving a man and his ex-wife at 218 East Scott Avenue in Knoxville at 1:30 am.
As the officers entered the home, the male subject pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Gwinn in the chest five times. Both officers returned fire killing the subject.
Officer Gwinn was a World War II veteran who earned the Silver Star, the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and marksmanship medals while serving as a sniper in the Pacific. He served with the Knoxville Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife, son, three brothers, and a sister.
Officer Gwinn is buried in New Gray Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.